Emily Wines

Emily Wines brings an infectious vibrancy to the subject of wine. While she has earned the highest distinction from the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers, she is able to blend her vast knowledge of wine with an approachable personal style – translating the complex and often elitist world of wine into language that’s simple and straightforward.

Emily’s responsibilities include expanding and strengthening the Cooper’s Hawk Wine Club community and advancing team members’ knowledge of wine. She serves as the liaison between the company and its individual restaurants, engaging with guests and the brand’s 450,000+ Wine Club members to create unique experiences centered around wine and spirits. She spearheads initiatives designed to enrich the guest journey through education, immersive events, collaborative partnerships, and curated lifestyle adventures. Emily also curated an impressive 1500+ bottle international wine list at Cooper’s Hawk Esquire, their newly opened flagship location in Chicago. This location, of 43 restaurants, is the only location that features non-Cooper’s Hawk wines. In June 2020, Cooper’s Hawk Esquire was honored and received a “Best of Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator for their outstanding wine program.

Emily is an internationally qualified sommelier, and one of only 149 individuals in the Americas to earn the designation of Master Sommelier. She is also one of just two women and 15 professionals who have been awarded the prestigious Remi Krug Cup for passing all three sections – theory, service and blind tasting – of the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination on her first attempt (most candidates sit for the exam two to three times, and some take it as many as six times).

On December 4, 2020, Emily was unanimously selected for a one-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers, receiving the highest number of votes in the Board of Directors general election. Emily plans to use her platform to strengthen the relationship between the sommelier and beverage community by encouraging inclusion, examination transparency, and more meaningful communication within and around the organization.

Prior to joining Cooper’s Hawk, Emily was General Manager at Skipstone Winery, overseeing sales, marketing, hospitality, and operations. She has also served as Senior Director of Beverage and Bars at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, where she oversaw the wine and spirits programming for 65 unique dining concepts across the U.S. Emily began her career at San Francisco’s acclaimed Fifth Floor and was integral to the restaurant’s receipt of Wine Spectator Magazine’s prestigious Grand Award, as well as its nomination from the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Wine Service.