Alex Mares is a Master Sommelier and Wine Director at Bourbon Steak New York. He began working in wine as a part-time job in Texas after completing a master’s degree in music performance, eventually moving to New York City to pursue a career in fine-dining wine service. After working at Maialino and Two-Michelin-Starred The Modern, Alex spent three years on the sommelier team at Three-Michelin-Starred Eleven Madison Park before becoming Wine Director at Bourbon Steak New York in 2024. He earned the Master Sommelier diploma in September 2026.
What made you want to become a Master Sommelier?
All the best sommeliers I found myself looking up to and interacting with were either Master Sommeliers or pursuing the Master Sommelier diploma. I found myself wanting to work with them, learn from them, and ultimately reach that same level.
As I progressed through my own career and was given the opportunity to mentor younger sommeliers, I also came to appreciate what becoming a Master Sommelier could mean beyond my own achievement. The credential gives you a platform to attract some of the most ambitious people in the profession—people who want to be coached, challenged, and pushed toward becoming the best sommeliers they can be. Some of the most incredible experiences I’ve had in hospitality have been on either side of that mentorship coin, and I want to continue helping people grow in their careers in wine and in life.
I sought out Master Sommeliers because I wanted to learn from the best. Now, I hope becoming a Master Sommelier gives me the opportunity to do the same for the next generation.
