Earning the position of Master Sommelier is not an easy task. A person who truly lives in the world of wine can earn this title. Here are some leading names who have achieved the Master Sommeliers title.

1) Eddie Osterland

Eddie Osterland is America's First Master Sommelier, an internationally acclaimed expert in the culinary arena of food and wine. Clients use Eddie’s advice to strengthen customer relationships, design annual client-appreciation events and execute corporate events that go beyond people’s expectations. He passed his Master Sommelier exam in London in 1973. He then worked as a director of trade education at the International Wine Center. He also authored the book “Wine and the Bottom Line” for the National Restaurant Association. He is currently the Master Sommelier at Osterland Enterprises, Inc.

2)Ian Cauble- San Francisco Bay Area

Ian Cauble is the youngest & one of the 202 Master Sommeliers in the world. Ian was named ‘Best Young Sommelier in the World Under 35 Years Old’ in 2011. He was the former Wine Director of The Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. Currently, he is the President, Master Sommelier of SommSelect.com.

3) Jay James- California

Jay James is a renowned Master Sommelier and earned his degree from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Earlier he was the Vice- President- Fine wine at the Southern Wine & Spirits NV. He is currently working as the Director of Trade Sales at Chappellet Winery.

4) Laura Williamson- New York

Laura Williamson is a Master Sommelier and a Certified Wine Educator. She works as an Adjunct Wine Faculty at the International Culinary Centre and is also an Advisory Board member of Kazzit, the first comprehensive national & international winery guide. Apart from this, she is also a member of The Court of Master Sommeliers. Laura is the Wine Director of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

5) R. Michael Meagher- Boston

R. Michael Meagher is one of the 249 Master Sommeliers in the world. He is the principal and owner of Sommelier On-Demand Hospitality Services. He also works as the Chairman Emeritus/ Founder of the Boston Sommelier Society where he is responsible to train restaurant staff in proper wine service, varietal and regional tastings and beverage management. He is also the judge of Sommeliers Choice Award 2019.

6) David Glancy- San Francisco Bay Area

David Glancy is the Chief Education Officer of San Francisco Wine School. He passed his Master Sommelier exam from Court of Master Sommelier. He is the Founder and Chief Education Officer at San Francisco Wine School. Glancy is one of only 12 people in the world to pass both the Master Sommelier (MS) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) exams.

7) Sally Mohr- Colorado

Sally Mohr is the second women in the United State to achieve the title of Master Sommelier. For 25 years she was co-owner of The Boulder Wine Merchant, a retail wine shop in Boulder, Colorado. She recently earned the distinction of WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Sake Educator. She also judges both wine and sake in various regional and international competitions.

8) Andrew McNamara- Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

Andrew McNamara is a Master Sommelier and is a Chairman-Court of Master Sommeliers, America. Earlier he was the wine department chairman of Professional Culinary Institute. He is now the Vice President of Wine Development/ Master Sommelier at Breakthru Beverage Group. 

9) Joe Spellman- Greater Chicago Area

Joe Spellman is a Master Sommelier of Court of Master Sommeliers. Earlier he worked as the Director of Education- Joseph Phelps Vineyards. He is currently the National Accounts Manager of Justin Vineyards & Winery/ Landmark Vineyards.

10) Elizabeth Schweitzer- Greater Los Angeles Area

Elizabeth Schweitzer is a Master Sommelier and is the eighth woman in the world to pass this exam. Earlier she was the Wine Director of the world’s largest summer resort at Mackinac Island. Currently, she is the food and beverage expert at Wine Wisdom & Wit.

11) Devon Broglie- Austin, Texas Area

Devon Broglie is based in Texas. He graduated from Duke University where he studied Economics. He then pursued Master Sommelier at the Court of Master Sommeliers. He is now the Global Beverage Buyer of the Whole Foods Market.

 

12) Steven Poe- Greater Los Angeles Area

Steven Poe is the only Master Sommelier in the country managing a country club beverage program. He is currently the Beverage Director/ Sommelier of Big Canyon Country Club and promotes wine awareness, knowledge, and enjoyment with patrons of all experience levels.

13) Chris Blanchard- Napa, California

Chris Blanchard is a Master Sommelier and a Consulting Wine Director at Chateau Marmont where he manages wine list selection, conduct wait staff training and education sessions. He is also the Director of Sales at Vine Hill Ranch.

14) Emily Wines- San Francisco

Emily Wines is a Master Sommelier based in San Francisco. Earlier he worked as a Senior Director of Beverage & Bar at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. She then shifted to Skipstone Ranch as the General Manager & Brand Ambassador. She is currently the Vice-President of Wine & Beverage Experiences at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.

15) Laura DePasquale- Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

Laura DePasquale is one of the Top Industry Executive and Leader with a high growth track record in both fine wine distribution and supply success. She is the Master Sommelier from Court of Master Sommeliers. Earlier she was the Vice President- Fine Wine of Palm Bay International. She was also the Senior Vice President/ General Manager at the Country Vintner.

16) Gilles de Chambure- Saint Helena, California

Gilles de Chambure was exposed to wine at an early age by his family who owned Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays in Burgundy. Earlier he was the Director of Wine Education at the Napa Valley Reserve. He was then appointed as the President & General Manager of Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate. He is currently the President & Master Sommelier MS Wine Consultant in the USA- Europe- Asia- South America.

17) Dustin Wilson- New York

Dustin Wilson’s career spans some of the top restaurants across the US. He was the Wine Director of the 3 Michelin-starred restaurants, Eleven Madison Park. He is the Advisor of Anvil Wine company as well as the Head of Wine & Education of PERUS Wine Company. He is also the co-founder of Verve Wine. Dustin’s expertise led him a lead role in the critically acclaimed wine documentary. He was later featured in the film’s sequel, SOMM: Into the Bottle.

18) Fred Dex- New York

Fred Dex one of only 236 Master Sommeliers in the world. He is an accomplished mixologist and cocktail enthusiast. His career as a wine and beverage professional spans nearly two decades and has touched upon nearly every aspect of the business. Earlier he was the National Wine Education Director for the Winebow Group. He is also the owner of Juiceman Consulting. He also owns Brain & Brawn FredDexMS Consulting company.

19) Rebecca Fineman- San Francisco, California

Rebecca Fineman is a Master Sommelier and Wine Consultant based in California. She was the Owner and Wine Director of Ungrafted. She is also the Wine Educator at the International Culinary Centre.

20) Jim Rollston- Santa Cruz, California

Jim Rollston is a wine professional with experience in multiple aspects of the wine industry. He earned the title of MS from Court of Master Sommelier and is currently working as a wine director at Manresa Restaurant. His specialties are Restaurant and wine program management, artisanal wine production & world-class services.  

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