Emily Wines

Emily Wines is an American wine professional and as of December 2020 board chair of the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) of the United States.^[1][2]

Emily Wines
Born	1973 or 1974 (age 49–50)^[1]
Nationality	American

Early life

Wines grew up in the Pacific Northwest.^[1]

Career

Wines began working in the restaurant industry in San Francisco as a young adult.^[1] She received her Master Sommelier accreditation in 2008.^[2] She was featured in the 2012 documentary SOMM.

She previously served as a CMS board member from 2013 to 2015.^[2]

She worked for Kimpton Hotels.^[1] In 2017 she became vice president for beverage for Cooper's Hawk.^[3]

Wines received a Grand Award from Wine Spectator and a James Beard nomination for wine service.^[1]

Court of Master Sommeliers

In 2018 CMS experienced a cheating scandal. In 2020, during the Me Too movement, The New York Times revealed a pattern of sexual harassment involving multiple powerful male members of CMS.^[4] In response to the sexual harassment scandal, the body made a statement in support of the women who had spoken up, but omitted mention of increased transparency or investigations. Public feedback to the response was negative. In November, the court issued an apology to the women named in the article in the Times. It also announced the suspensions of seven of its Master Sommeliers pending further investigation, and the resignation of another Master Sommelier. Those suspended included Fred Dame, a co-founder of the group.^[5]

The organization in November 2020 held elections and replaced chair Devon Broglie, who had subsequently to the original New York Times story been himself accused of sexual harassment,^[6] with Wines.^[7][2][1] Broglie, as well as being the board chair, had been a member of the organization's ethics committee, which was in charge of investigating sexual misconduct.^[6]

Wines prioritized professionalizing the organization by hiring an executive director; the organization hire Julie Cohen Theobald and added board seats representing industries unrelated to hospitality.^[1]

Personal life

Wines identifies as queer.^[3]

References

1. Zavatto, Amy (22 April 2022). "She's rebuilding one of America's elite wine organizations". Fortune. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
2. "Big Changes Come to the Court of Master Sommeliers". Liquor.com. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
3. Willcox, Kathleen (2023-01-19). "Wine's Most Inspiring People 2023: Emily Wines — Leaning in Amid Court of Master Sommeliers Crisis". Wine Industry Advisor. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
4. Moskin, Julia (2020-10-29). "The Wine World's Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
5. Moskin, Julia (2020-11-03). "Elite Wine Group Suspends Master Sommeliers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
6. Moskin, Julia (2020-11-06). "Chairman of Elite Wine Group Resigns Amid Its Sexual Harassment Scandal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
7. Nigro, Dana; Harens, Julie (6 November 2020). "Court of Master Sommeliers Chairman Steps Down, Group to Restructure After Outcry over Sexual Harassment". Wine Spectator.