A former Citibank investment banker, André Mack drew attention as the first Black winner of Best Young Sommelier in America in 2003 by Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Food and Wine Society. The award catapulted him to floor sommelier at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Napa, and later to head sommelier at Per Se in New York City.

From the start, Mack set his own pace, regardless of social or cultural trends or norms, including the current Black Lives Matter movement. “Being black in the wine industry is no different than being black for 47 years of my life,” says Mack. The ultra-competitive New Jersey native shows up, suits up and plays to win…Read more here.