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LEADING SOMMELIERS IN NEW YORK
Meet the Masters Shaping NYC's Wine Scene
The NYC wine scene has been evolving constantly, with a fresh focus on inclusivity and innovation. Modern wine venues are shifting from traditional wine lists to offer immersive experiences, such as interactive tastings and educational events, making wine more accessible and engaging for enthusiasts of all levels.
A significant trend is the growing popularity of natural and biodynamic wines, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and authenticity. Top restaurants and bars across the city are increasingly featuring these wines, with sommeliers leading the charge in promoting responsible and transparent practices.
As part of this ongoing transformation, we’ll be highlighting the leading sommeliers in NYC who are driving these changes. Their expertise and influence are pivotal in shaping the city’s dynamic wine scene, making it an exciting time for wine lovers and newcomers alike.
Severine Perru, born in Moselle, France, initially pursued biology and entomology before shifting her focus to organic farming in the Jura. Her work there sparked a passion for natural wine, leading her to New York in 2013, where she became the wine director at The Ten Bells, NYC's iconic natural wine bar. Perru cultivated global partnerships, organized international events, and began crafting her own wines in 2017 while working harvests in both hemispheres.
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Grant Reynolds, founder of Parcelle, honed his wine expertise as a sommelier at top spots like Frasca and Noma, and as a managing partner with Delicious Hospitality Group, overseeing the wine programs at Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, and Legacy Records. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Wine & Spirits' 2013 Best New Sommelier, Grant co-authored How to Drink Wine in 2020. His work has been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and GQ.
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At 19, Aldo Sohm discovered his passion for wine during a visit to an Italian vineyard, and he still feels fortunate to have turned his hobby into a career. In 2008, he won the World's Best Sommelier Competition. Today, he serves as the wine director at New York's four-star restaurant Le Bernardin and runs his own Aldo Sohm Wine Bar.
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Victoria James began her career at 13, working at a New Jersey diner. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a certified sommelier recognized by the Court of Master Sommeliers. By 21, she was the youngest person in the world to hold that title—just in time to legally enjoy the wine she served. James is a partner at Cote, the Korean steakhouse with locations in New York and Miami. She recently launched a nationwide wine club, and this year, Michelin recognized her with a major honor for her work in Miami.
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Pascaline grew up in the Loire Valley and left a career in philosophy to pursue her passion for wine at the two-Michelin-starred L’Auberge Bretonne. She quickly earned titles like Best Loire Valley Young Sommelier and Best Brittany Sommelier. After working at Rouge Tomate in Brussels and interning at George V in Paris, Pascaline moved to New York in 2009 to become Beverage Director at Rouge Tomate. She was soon named one of Wine & Spirits' Best New Sommeliers of 2011, a "New Wine Prophet" by Time Out NY, and a "Natural Wine Evangelist" by Food & Wine. Her Rouge Tomate wine list won top honors from The NY Times and The World of Fine Wine.
Image Credit - Pascaline Lepeltier
Originally from Alsace-Lorraine, Michaël Engelmann is a Master Sommelier with over two decades of international experience. In 2009, he earned the title of Best Sommelier in America and passed the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam on his first attempt, winning the prestigious Krug Cup.
Learn more about him here.
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Jack Mason became a Master Sommelier at just 27, making him one of the youngest ever. Based in Texas, he's one of only nine Master Sommeliers in the state and 144 in the U.S. His wine passion started during a culinary class at CIA, flourished at Cornell with mentor Greg Harrington, and took him from Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Houston to NYC, where he worked at Michael White's restaurants and Danny Meyer’s Marta before joining the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2015.
Image Credit - Master Sommeliers
Patrick Cappiello
Patrick Cappiello, owner and winemaker at Monte Rio Cellars in Sonoma County, swapped NYC's restaurant scene for winemaking in 2017. With over 30 years in hospitality, he was NYC's first sommelier at TriBeCa Grill, and later led wine programs at Veritas, GILT, and his own acclaimed spots: Pearl & Ash, Rebelle, and Walnut St Cafe.
Image Credit - Patrick Cappiello
Michel Couvreux, a Brittany native, switched from chef to sommelier after discovering wine while waiting tables. At 18, he began his sommelier apprenticeship at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Rennes. His career spanned top Paris spots like L’Arpège and Guy Savoy before landing him in NYC in 1993 at Bouley. By 2009, he was head sommelier at Per Se and later became the beverage director at TAK Room in Hudson Yards.
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Laura Maniec, one of just 33 female Master Sommeliers worldwide, owns Corkbuzz Restaurant and Wine Bar with locations in Union Square and Chelsea Market, NYC. Since launching Corkbuzz Wine Studios in 2011, she’s turned it into a hub for wine-focused dining, classes, and events, earning praise from Food & Wine, Business Insider, and Amex Essentials as the top spot for wine education.
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As we’ve explored the influence of these industry leaders, it’s clear that their expertise and passion are shaping NYC’s wine culture in exciting and innovative ways. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the city’s evolving wine landscape promises a rich and rewarding experience for all.
