Cristie Norman is Redefining the Sommelier for a New Generation

Your story is unique; you started as a steakhouse server and passed the Certified Sommelier exam at 21. When did you know you wanted to be a Sommelier? Is there a moment that “clicked?”

Cristie: My love for beverages started with tea. At 15, I worked in a teahouse with 120 varieties, making recommendations based on origin, variety, caffeine, and aroma. By 19, I was working two restaurant jobs and realized wine knowledge could help me move up to server at the steakhouse. I studied nonstop until I turned 21 and passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Level 1 exam. What began as a career move quickly became a passion.

You’ve carved a unique path in the wine world, from fine dining to education to digital influence. How do you see your role evolving within such a dynamic industry?

Cristie: I started posting rare bottles online, which quickly built an audience online, but I also saw how inaccessible wine could be without the right connections. My mission is to make wine approachable for everyone, especially millennials and Gen Z. I focus on creating entry points and pathways for those who might not have traditional access to the industry.

You’re very active in the industry, hosting online wine courses, panels, mentorship, and your role at Delilah. What part of your work brings you the most joy?

Cristie: I love fostering a strong support system for my community. I’m fortunate to have access to information and connections that not everyone can get, and it means a lot to share that knowledge and open doors for others.

At Wynn, I host monthly tasting groups, bringing in different Master Sommeliers to mentor our community, creating rare opportunities for sommeliers at all levels to learn directly from the industry’s most respected professionals. Before moving to Las Vegas, I built the “LA Somm Community” at Spago Beverly Hills, which grew to over 350 sommeliers and hosted hundreds of events with rotating mentors.

Through the United Sommeliers Foundation, I also host webinars that reach sommeliers nationwide, providing mentorship and education even when we can’t be together in person. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of sommeliers through these programs.

What brings me the most joy is seeing the ripple effect; when someone from our sessions passes their Advanced exam, lands their dream job, or gains the confidence to take the next step in their career. Whether it’s my online beginner’s course or bringing Master Sommeliers into our community, my goal is always to create access that might not otherwise exist.

How did it feel to be acknowledged by the James Beard Association as an “Outstanding Beverage Professional” and USF awarded “Social Visionary” by Wine Enthusiast in the same year?

Cristie: I was so humbled and grateful to receive these recognitions. It’s incredibly meaningful to be acknowledged by such respectable organizations, especially knowing these honors came from focusing on education and community building rather than traditional fine dining accolades.

Being named “Outstanding Beverage Professional” and seeing the United Sommeliers Foundation recognized as “Social Visionary” validated that our mission, making wine education accessible and supporting the sommelier community, truly matters. It’s humbling because I know how many talented professionals in this industry are doing incredible work, and to be singled out feels like both a privilege and a responsibility.

What makes me most proud is that these acknowledgments reflect the collective impact of our community. Every sommelier I’ve mentored, every student who’s taken my course, every professional we’ve supported through the United Sommeliers Foundation, they’re all part of this recognition.

You’ve worked with both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers. What connects people to a wine beyond just what’s in the glass?

Cristie: The story, the experience, and the moment. Wine is a vessel for connection, celebration, and memory-making.

What defines exceptional hospitality for you?

Cristie: It's about truly understanding what a guest wants and needs, not just what they’re asking for. Early in my career, I'd find myself in the wine cellar, completely overwhelmed by the options and desperate to make sure guests left with the perfect bottle. At the time, I didn’t yet know the right questions to ask to get there.

Over time, I realized that hospitality is about digging beneath the surface to uncover what really excites someone. It’s about asking thoughtful questions and listening closely so you can create an experience that resonates on a personal level. If a guest asks for a specific bottle, I want to understand the reason behind the request, are they celebrating a milestone, trying to impress someone, or stepping outside their comfort zone?

At Delilah, I often work with celebrities, athletes, and high-profile guests. I’ve noticed that people sometimes order a certain Champagne just because it makes them light up, rather than because it’s their favorite style. Knowing the “why” allows me to deliver more than just the bottle; they get an experience that feels personal and memorable.

Mentorship is a thread throughout your work. Who has shaped your perspective the most, and what values guide you as you mentor others?

Cristie: Mark Keene, Shaun Prevatt, and Paul Sherman all played pivotal roles early in my career. I mentor with the same generosity they showed me.

Finally, how has your relationship with wine changed over time, and where do you find inspiration today, both in and outside the glass?

Cristie: It’s grown from pure passion to a blend of artistry and business. At Delilah, managing a 1,000-selection list with rapid turnover requires as much operational precision as wine knowledge. The spreadsheets and sales reports tell stories as compelling as the wines themselves, and I find tremendous satisfaction in that balance between artistry and analytics.