Greg Tresner, MS (1948–2020)
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas remembers Greg Tresner, Master Sommelier, wine educator, and longtime hospitality professional, who passed away on October 24, 2020, at the age of 72.
Born and raised in Washington State’s Skagit Valley, Greg pursued a varied career before establishing himself in the Arizona hospitality community. He worked at Café Terra Cotta in Tucson before joining Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician in Scottsdale in 1998.
Greg earned the Master Sommelier Diploma in 2000, becoming the first Master Sommelier in Arizona. At Mary Elaine’s, he became known for his thoughtful approach to wine service and food-and-wine pairing. In 2006, he was nominated for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine Service.
Throughout his career, Greg shared his knowledge through mentoring, teaching, writing, and working directly with restaurant guests. Following his retirement, he returned to the Skagit Valley to be closer to family.
