In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier, Chef, Television Personality, and Author.
Andrea Robinson is a leading wine educator and one of only 28 women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier—the first woman designated as Best Sommelier in the United States. Andrea is currently Sommelier for Delta Air Lines, the winner of three James Beard awards, and Bon Appétit magazine as Wine and Spirits Professional of The Year in 2004.
Andrea Robinson was born in North Dakota and raised in Texas and Southern Indiana. From a young age, she had a deep appreciation for cooking and food. While attending college, she took a wine tasting class at a restaurant in Dallas, Texas—a pivotal moment that sparked her passion for wine.
Robinson earned degrees in economics and business from Southern Methodist University and began her career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. During this time, she volunteered at a local wine school, helping with tasks like pouring wine and cleaning glassware. In exchange, she took free classes and built connections within the wine industry. A turning point came when she led a tasting for Champagne Krug. Inspired, she resigned from Morgan Stanley the very next day to pursue a career in wine.
In 1990, Robinson embarked on a six-month journey through Europe by train and on foot, staying in hostels and immersing herself in wine culture. Upon returning to the U.S., she began working in the wine department at Windows on the World in New York City, where she was mentored by renowned wine expert Kevin Zraly. She eventually became the restaurant’s first female cellar master and went on to earn her Master Sommelier Diploma. She also competed in the World Championship of Sommeliers.
Andrea has written four top-selling wine and food books, including Everyday Dining with Wine, which won the prestigious IACP cookbook award. She has also created a ground-breaking wine stemware series called The ONE, which optimizes the tasting experience with a single, precision shape.
As host of her own online video wine course at andreawine.com, Andrea shares her knowledge with thousands of consumers and professionals each month. She has developed innovative beverage and hospitality training programs for Norwegian Cruise Line, Marriott, Starwood, Hilton Hotels, and Darden Corp. Andrea also speaks regularly to the travel trade, dozens of major corporations, consumer wine groups and top hospitality schools.
Andrea has hosted more than 100 episodes of her own ground-breaking television series’ for Scripps Networks, including the Food Network’s Quench, as well as Simply Wine and Pairings with Andrea on Fine Living network. She was featured on Working Mother magazine’s cover as a Working Mother of the Year, and she has been profiled in People, Glamour, Elle, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today show, CBS This Morning, The New York Times, Food & Wine magazine, and numerous others.
And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!
