Location : Brooklyn, NY, USA

 

Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer is one of the wine and beverage industry’s leading professionals. Dexheimer started his career humbly-- making gourmet pizzas, waiting tables and bartending in top resort communities including Nantucket, Jackson Hole and Vermont. Wanting to take the next step in his career, he moved to New York City in 2000, at which point he was offered the chance of a lifetime: assisting in the wine cellar of one of the worlds greatest restaurants, the NY Times four starred Daniel. He moved on from Daniel to work in several of New York’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern, Cello, L’Impero, Jean Georges and Spice Market where he worked in the cellars, as a bartender and eventually as Sommelier and Beverage Manager.

In 2004, Dexheimer joined the opening team of Laurent Tourendel’s BLT Steak as Sommelier and Beverage Director. After immediate crowds and rave reviews, BLT began its culinary expansion, opening two additional restaurants in 2005. Dexheimer helmed both projects, creating award-winning wine lists and artfully-crafted cocktail menus. In 2005 Fred joined the BLT Corporate team as National Wine and Beverage Director and went on to open restaurants in Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Atlanta and Miami. During this time, Fred also gained experience on the wholesale, distribution, import and export side of the business as American Portfolio Director for T Edward Wines, rounding out his understanding of the entire business end of the wine and beverage industry.

In 2007, Dexheimer earned the elite title of Master Sommelier , the top distinction for any sommelier in world. He has also earned accolades from Wine and Spirits for Best New Sommelier 2005 and Rock Star Sommelier from Wine and Spirits in 2007. In 2005 he was awarded Starwine’s Rising Star Award and also Star Chef’s Rising Star Sommelier for NYC. He has competed in many sommelier competitions including winning the Northeast competition for Best Young Sommelier in 2004, a 3rd place finish in the Trophy Ruinart Best Sommelier in the Americas 2004 and the honor of competing for Best Sommelier in the World in 2007 in Rhodes, Greece.

He has offered his expertise and experience to many of the world’s leading wine publications as a taster and panelist. Credits include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Wine and Spirits, Wine Spectator, Beverage Media, Food Arts and Wine Enthusiast. He has also been featured in many of the world’s leading lifestyle publications including Time Magazine, Men’s Vogue, Newsweek and People Magazine. Additionally, Fred is an accomplished bartender and mixologist. He has had several of his cocktail creations published in The New York Times, Food and Wine, Cosmopolitan and Bill Hamilton’s Shaken and Stirred among others.

Fred is now founder of Juiceman Consulting, a wine, spirits, and cocktail consulting agency.