Master Sommelier Emily Wines

Given her name, it seems destined that Emily Wines would become a top-notch sommelier. In fact, she is a Master Sommelier of distinction. She brings her expertise to NIOS for an exciting wine program that is being widely applauded.

Wines, who grew up outside of Seattle, began developing her knowledge about wine while living in San Luis Obispo, California. In pursuit of a serious wine career, she moved to San Francisco to work under Vivian Gay Elka.

Wines' Start as a Sommelier

In 2000, Emily joined the Fifth Floor restaurant, where she refined her skills and knowledge under the mentorship of Rajat Parr, quickly earning the position of Assistant Sommelier, during which time the wine list received the prestigious Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine. Since 2004, Wines has been the restaurant's Wine Director and the restaurant continues to win the Grand Award.

Wines made history in 2008 by becoming the second woman to pass the rigorous Master Sommelier Diploma Examination and win the coveted Remi Krug Cup (awarded to the single highest scoring candidate to pass all three portions of the exam in the first attempt). Master Sommelier is an internationally recognized title held by only about 100 people in the United States, Wines among them.

Combining Passion & Prestige

Now Corporate Wine Director for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants as well as sommelier at NIOS and Fifth Floor, Wines participates in national wine events. She has been a guest sommelier at the Masters of Food & Wine at the Highlands Inn in Carmel, California, and has also appeared at the MFK Luxury Wine Summit and the World of Pinot Noir in Shell Beach.

As fun as it is varied, Wines' NIOS wine program is a glorious celebration of the grape.