CATERINA ABBRUZZETTI

SOMMELIER OF THE WILLARD

Favorite Red: Pinot Noir, Romanée-Conti

Favorite White: Montrachet, Domaine Romanée-Conti

Favorite Bargains: 2004 Rosé de Côte Bleue, Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio, Alabarino Lagar de Cervera or 2005 Dry Creek Zinfandel

Awards and Distinctions:

• Viticulture Degree from Napa Valley College

• Court of Master Sommeliers Certifi cate

• Master of Wines Advanced Level

•  Active Board Member on the French Wine Society in Washington.

Favorite part of job: Working in the WillardRoom, one of the most beautiful and historicalspaces in Washington.

Drink there: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW202-637-7440

SAEED BENNANI

MANAGER, SOMMELIER AND WINE DIRECTOR OF INDEBLEU

Favorite Red: Pinot Noir from California, Oregon and New Zealand

Favorite White: Philiponnat Grand Blanc “Blanc de Blancs”

Favorite Bargain: Spain and Southern Italy white and reds

Awards and Distinctions:

• Advanced Certifi cate through the Washington Wine Academy in DC

• Passed the introductory Master Sommlier level in pursuit of the Master Sommelier Degree

• At Me N Yu in Georgetown, his wine list received the “2006 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award”

Favorite part of the job: My job allows me to meet a great deal of wonderful people in the industry; and besides the wine geek stigma, it is a great business to be a part of.

Drink there: 707 G St. NW 202-333-2538

NADINE BROWN

SOMMELIER OF CHARLIE PALMER

Favorite Red: Araujo Winery, Eisele Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Favorite White: Clos de la Coulée de Serrant by Nicolas Joly

Favorite Bargain: Clos La Chance, Hummingbird Series, Syrah, Central Coast, Calif

Awards and Distinctions:

•  RAMMY Award for Best Wine and Beverage program

•  Michael Bonnacorsi Scholarship from the Court of Master Sommeliers

Favorite part of the job: I taste world-class wine every day and get paid for it.

Drink there: 101 Constitution Ave. NW 202-547-8100

DAVID BUENO

SOMMELIER OF TABERNA DEL ALABARDERO

Favorite Red: Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva 1990

Favorite White: Gran Vinum 2005

Favorite Bargain: Fino Tío Pepe

Awards and Distinctions:

• Taberna’s wine program has been a two time fi nalist for “Wine and Beverage Program of the Year” for the RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala

• Teaches classes on Spanish wine for the DC chapter of the American Sommelier Association

•  Graduate of Spain’s top culinary academy, the Escuela Superior de Hosteleria

Favorite part of the job: I love to see my customers’ faces going from skepticism to surprise to pleasure.

Drink there: 1776 I St. NW, 202-429-2200

VINCENT FERAUD

SOMMELIER OF MAESTRO AT THE TYSONS CORNER RITZ-CARLTON

Favorite Red: Masseto 1998 Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia, Tuscany

Favorite White: Chevalier-Montrachet 1990 Domaine Michel Niellon, Burgundy

Favorite Bargain: Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine des Chezelles 2005, Loire Valley

Awards and Distinctions:

•  Awarded the Wine Spectator “Grand Award of Excellence” for 10 consecutive years

•  Nominated three times for the “Wine Service Award” as presented by the James Beard Foundation

•  Awarded “Wine & Beverage Program of the Year” by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington in 2005

Favorite part of the job: Every night is different; working in a restaurant is an environment of happiness – my job is fun!

Drink then 1700 Tyson’s Blvd., McLean, Va., 202-821-1515

MICHAEL FLYNN

WINE DIRECTOR AND SOMMELIER OF KINKEAD’S

Favorite Red: Meo-Camuzet’s Vosne-Romanee “Cros Parantoux” from the 2002 vintage

Favorite White: 2004 Blanc deValandraud No. 1, a white Bordeaux from ‘garagiste’winemaker Jean-Luc Thunevin

Favorite Bargain: The Tempranillo-based red “El Arte de Vivir” 2004 from the Ribera del Duero (under $15.00 retail)

Awards and Distinctions:

•  In 1998 Food and Wine voted Kinkead’s as having the Best American Wine List in Washington

•  In 1999 Gourmet magazine voted Kinkead’s Best for Wine

• Active candidate for the Master Sommelier Diploma (has only been awarded to 40 Americans). He has passed the fi rst two levels.

Favorite part of the job: What I enjoy most about the job is having the opportunity to taste the greatest wines in the world - in the settings where they are produced – with the passionate people who produce them.

Drink there: 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-296-7700

DOUGLAS MOHR

MANAGER, WINE DIRECTOR AND SOMMELIER OF VIDALIA

Favorite Red: 2004 Domaine de Puech Chaud Côteaux du Languedoc from Réné Rostaing

Favorite White: 2006 Heidi Schrock “Ried Vogelsang”

Favorite Bargain: 2005 Luna Beberide from Bierzo (Red) and 2006 Domaine de la Bacassonne Côtés du Rhone Blanc (White)

Awards and Distinctions:

•    Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” 2004 – present

•    Wine Enthusiast’s “Award of Distinction” in both 2006 and 2007 Blanc (White)

Favorite part of the job: I love to find a wine that I have never had before that just blows me away.

Drink there: 1990 M St. NW, 202-569-1990