Affiliation : Bellagio Resort & Casino
Location : Las Vegas, NV, USA

 

DIRECTOR OF WINE
BELLAGIO

Jason Smith, MS is Director of Wine for Bellagio. In his role, he oversees all wine operations for the AAA Five Diamond resort including wine sales and service in 32 venues ranging from restaurants and bars to banquet space and in-room dining. Smith also manages the inventory and cost control of more than 50,000 bottles spanning approximately 5,000 selections and leads the wine education of Bellagio’s 3,500 service employees. He is responsible for the hiring and training of the property’s sommeliers, a record staff of 15 which include two additional master sommeliers. Bellagio is one of only two properties worldwide to offer three master sommeliers under one roof.

Smith previously held the esteemed position of Head Sommelier for MICHAEL MINA Bellagio, the eponymous Michelin one star restaurant of the famed chef and restaurateur. During his two years there, Smith added 350 new selections nearly doubling the previous wine list and oversaw wine education for all Mina Group employees citywide. His dedication led the restaurant to receive a “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in 2007.

Smith developed his affinity for wine accidentally. Dreams of being a noted chef led him to enroll in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., but his destiny changed forever after a required course in wine education sparked an enduring passion. Soon a commanding wine repertoire led Smith to the prestigious role of Cellar Master at New York City’s celebrated ‘21’ Club – all before Smith was 21 years of age himself. Two years later at the age of 22, Smith was awarded the distinguished title of Sommelier.

A 15-year veteran of the food & beverage industry, Smith has demonstrated his wine expertise in leadership positions at such acclaimed venues as Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond Award winners – The Little Nell in Aspen, Colo. and Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, Ill. During his service at Charlie Trotter’s, Smith was honored to author wine notes for two of the respected chef’s cookbooks – “Raw” and “Workin’ More Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter.”

Smith was selected as Las Vegas’ “Best Sommelier/Wine Director” in 2008 by renowned food and wine expert and James Beard Award winner Anthony Dias Blue. He was awarded the title “Best Young Sommelier in America” in 2005 by L’Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs, an organization dedicated to promoting wine education and enjoyment. Smith also was named among the “Best Sommeliers in America” during a nationwide competition in 2000 by the American Sommelier Association.

Smith graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America. He was awarded the coveted designation of Master Sommelier in 2005.