Steven initially studied engineering and discovered a passion for wine after a semester in France. He studied enology and viticulture at the Walla Walla Community College in Washington State. Steven obtained the Advanced Sommelier certification in 2016. He worked as a wine director for Lidia Bastianich at Felidia NYC and took the Master Sommelier exam 9 times. Today, he owns a specialty wine store, Denver Wine Merchant in Denver, Colorado, focusing on classic European regions.