ADVANCED SOMMELIER VILMA MAZAITE
Vilma’s passion for wine began at a very early age. She grew up in Lithuania, where no wine is made and beer is king, but her family was always fond of having a bottle of wine with dinner.
When Vilma moved to the US and began working in restaurants to learn more about food and wine, she was very lucky to be hired as an assistant for Rajat Paar, Wine Director for Michael Mina, at a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Rajat became her first mentor and opened the doors to the wine world. With his help, Vilma traveled through vineyards in Europe, harvested in Santa Barbara, and attended the most prestigious wine events in the country.
After working with Rajat she opened the Wynn Resort, created a wine list for Steve Kalt at Corsa Cusina, worked with Paul Bartolotta, and slowly developed a love for Italy, which led her to Manhattan to work for Mario Batali at the famous Babbo restaurant.
At Babbo she worked with the best Italian wine list in the country and paired food & wine for famous politicians and celebrities. After two years at Babbo, she moved to Aspen, CO where she works at the famous Little Nell hotel.
She has a diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and is currently enrolled with the Court of Master Sommeliers to receive her Master Sommelier title.
Join Vilma on her blog "Everyday Wine with Vilma".
Read more about Vilma in the news:
- Aspen Daily News | A Perfect Pair: Wine in Heels Focuses on Wine, Food and Fun - 16 December 2011
- The Little Nell Blog| Thanksgiving in Heels - 22 November 2011
- Aspen Times | Extending Thanks - 11 October 2011
- Plum TV | Wine in Heels - September 2011
- The Little Nell Blog - 1 August 2011
- Wine Openers | First notes from the 2011 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen - 21 June 2011
- The Aspen Times | Local dethrones icon as "Iron Sommelier" at Aspen Food & Wine: Little Nell's Mazaite takes Round 2 in new Food & Wine battle - 18 June 2011
- Bon Vivant | A Guide to Good Wine Drinking Part 3 by Vilma Mazaite - 3 June 2011
- Bon Vivant | A Guide to Good Wine Drinking Part 2 by Vilma Mazaite - 1 June 2011
- Bon Vivant | A Guide to Good Wine Drinking Part 1 by Vilma Mazaite - 27 May 2011
