Hi Jared, tell us a little about yourself

I got into wine by way of a happy accident. I had moved out to The Hamptons to write the Great American Novel and was working as an assistant to a sculptor to pay my bills. The sculptor was Walter Channing, and his studio was on the vineyard he owned, Channing Daughters Winery. I began working on the vineyard as well, and before I was even allowed to touch a corkscrew, I was given a pair of boots and learned about wines from the ground up. It was a wonderful experience, and it was the intrigue and passion of my friends who worked there that inspired me to take the deep dive into wine.

How long have you been in the drinks industry?

I started in 2003, so I guess it would be coming up on 17 years.

Where do you currently work?

Faith and Flower. Faith & Flower is a contemporary Los Angeles restaurant located in the WaterMarke Tower in DTLA’s South Park district. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the two major renaissance periods—the 1920s and modern-day—that have fundamentally shaped the Downtown Los Angeles community, with “Flower” referring to the street on which the restaurant lies today, and “Faith” for the street’s alleged name during the early 1920s.

 

How according to you has the role of the sommelier evolved, especially now during covid times?

The sommelier has been a rapidly changing role in the US over the past 30 years or so. I think largely it's a reflection of the public's view of food and wine. Hopefully, as sommeliers, we are truly fulfilling the job description, which as far as I am concerned, is to help make wine accessible and fun. If we're not adding ease and enjoyment to the process, then why are we here? If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.

Covid has obviously had an enormous short term impact on the restaurant industry, most of our restaurants are closed, and we are out of work. I do believe we will come back from this, and that we will recover as a nation. What is unknown is what this new world will look like. Many weaknesses in our systems have been exposed, and hopefully, we will come out on the other side stronger, and more aware of our fellow humans in this business.

What are some of the most important skills for a sommelier?

The ability to listen is one of the most important skills for natural born speakers. As sommeliers, we are so used to talking about the wines that we are passionate about, that we miss out on the most important element - the customers' preferences. It can be tricky to do, and many times can involve reading between the lines, but the astute sommelier will be able to bring their guest the right wine, especially if the guest didn't even know they wanted it.

What you look for when you plan to buy wine for your business?

There are so many small vineyards and unheard of wineries, it's my goal to help get exposure for these folks, and to help share new wines and experiences with my guests. What is the point of joining us in a restaurant, if the wines are available across the street at the grocery store?

Where and what you drink when not working?

The best possible scenario, is a small group of friends, cooking together and sharing their latest wine discoveries.

What are the new wines to taste now?

My new passion is not new, it's wines from Santa Barbara County. LA and Santa Barbara County are so close and yet we don't have as strong of a connection as we should. I'm hoping to change that. I'll keep you up to date on my progress.