Michele Fontanniere, Sponsor manager

 MARION EL GOHARY, Social Media Assistant

Born in Paris, France, Sébastien Verrier began his career at 15 as a Sommelier assistant at Michelin-starred Le Clos Longchamps.  After having earned a Bachelors degree in wine stewardship with Didier Bureau, a famous writer for “La Revue des Vins de France,” Verrier spent two years as a second sommelier at the famed Michelin one-star Le Jardin at the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris. At this age he was training every Thursday by the Organization of the Sommelier of Paris and became a member of the Union De La Sommelerie Française.

He then headed off to London and accepted the position of Sommelier at Mon Plaisir Restaurant for a Year to implement his English.

Wanderlust, which often accompanies wine expertise because of its global nature, had set in by 1998. Verrier set his sights on New York City, where he spent a year as a Sommelier at Les Trois Jean before taking off for Australia and an exploration of its viniculture.

Verrier made his way down to Miami, FL in the fall of 1999 and joined the Biltmore Hotel team, as Hotel Head Sommelier and Palme D’or Restaurant Manager where he developed a 350 wine list.  His knowledge and magnificent background on the culinary and wine field led him to be nominated for a James Beard Award on 2010 for Best Wine Service.

Sebastien Verrier is now the Beverage Director at the St Regis Bal Harbor Florida, one of the most prestigious Hotel in the Country.  He is a member of the United States Sommelier Association since 2002 and the French Wine teacher for the association.

Verrier organized some Wine Competition in Miami some of the last ones would be the French Wine Competition in October 2011 and the Spanish Wine Competition in May 2012.

Verrier dedicate his passion for international Wines for the past 20 years and has created a great influence in Miami for past 10 years.