Joseph Spellman

Joseph Spellman is Master Sommelier and national spokesman for The Wonderful Company California wine portfolio: JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles, Lewis Cellars of Napa, and Landmark Vineyards of Sonoma. He has been head sommelier and wine director in numerous Chicago restaurants, including Tango, Maxim’s, The Pump Room, La Tour at Park Hyatt Chicago, and Charlie Trotter’s. He has long been a writer, a consultant, and an educator in food harmony, language, and history of wine.

Joseph was the 29th American sommelier to earn the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma, in 1996. He earned the title “Best Sommelier in the World in French Wines and Spirits” by winning the international 1997 French Sommelier Competition in Paris sponsored by SOPEXA, outperforming 23 other national champion sommeliers, the second American to have done so. In 1998 he was named the Bon Appetit “Wine & Spirits Professional of the Year.”

Joseph is a frequent instructor and examiner in the Court of Master Sommeliers, and from 2005-2008 was Chairman of the American Chapter of the Court. He is also a Certified Wine Educator since 2003.

Among his professional written works, he was honored to write the critically praised wine notes featured in three books by Chef Charlie Trotter in the 1990s. He was the principal wine writer of the 2003, 2006, and 2009 Lyric Opera Auction Catalogues. He also has written grape descriptions for the Wine Grapes posters produced by Ten Speed Press; and over the years he has contributed to the magazines Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Santé, Decanter, Somm Journal, and Appellation.

Wine travels have taken Joseph to most major European wine countries numerous times; also Chile, Argentina, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many less-heralded wine regions in the United States. He has led seminars on classic wine regions and concepts at numerous wine festivals and wine educational conferences, most often in conjunction with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

Joe also likes architecture, photography, theatre, opera, and beer.