News
Contact: Steven H. Holt
Market Director, Public Relations
Email: [email protected]
600 Stockton at California
San Francisco, CA 94108
Cell: 415-312-8264
Ian Cauble Wins International Jeunes Sommelier Competition
Wine Director at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay named Top Young Sommelier in the World
HALF MOON BAY, CALIF. – September 20, 2011 – After an intense competition in
Athens, Greece, the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest
gastronomic society based in Paris, France, awarded Ian Cauble, First Place in its annual
Jeunes Sommelier Competition. "I am honored to bring the world title home to the United
States,” said Ian Cauble. “I owe my success to the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Guild
of Sommeliers and so many talented wine-professionals around me in the San Francisco
Bay area, whom have been my motivation to learn more every day.” In August, Mr.
Cauble also won the USA Champion TOP|SOMM award from the Guild of Sommeliers.
“Ian Cauble is an incredibly talented sommelier,” said Steven Holt, Director of Public
Relations for The Ritz-Carlton in Northern California. “His vision crafts the wine
program in ENO, our wine-tasting room and throughout the wine experiences at The
Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.” The resort’s monthly Vintner Series and Winemaker
Dinners, ENO-versity (taught by Mr. Cauble), Fire and Wine Butler services and Navio’s
Chef Tasting with wine pairings are all innovative wine programs that have been
enhanced and expanded during his tenure as Wine Director of the resort.
Ian Cauble is a native Californian and his passion for food and wine started when he
attended Sonoma State University, playing NCAA tennis for the school. While at
Sonoma State he studied International Business with emphasis on the Wine Business and
Spanish language. These studies inspired him to travel to Chile for a course of study in
Chilean wine production. Upon graduation from Sonoma State a year later, Ian accepted
a position in Portugal for 2 euros an hour where he worked at Royal Oporto in the Douro
Valley, the country’s oldest port house. After the harvest Ian travelled for thirteen months
throughout Europe, North Africa and India, exploring the wines and cuisines of these
regions. After his return to the United States, his passion for food and wine had taken
root, working at some of the top wine destinations in the U.S., including: The Wine
Merchant of Beverly Hills; Aubergine and Le Quai restaurants of Newport Beach; Fleur
de Lys of Las Vegas; as well as the restaurants of Jardiniere and Spruce in San Francisco.
In 2008, Ian was voted one of the "Best New Sommeliers" in the U.S. by Wine and
Spirits magazine and in April 2009 he passed the Advanced Sommelier exam where he
received the Rudd Scholarship, a scholarship which is awarded to the top score at the
exam. He has since taken the Master Sommelier Examination twice and has passed both
Theory and Service. The Blind Tasting portion remains to be named a Master
Sommelier. Ian, currently is the Wine Director for The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay,
including ENO, the resorts wine-tasting room and Navio, the resort signature restaurant
with Chef Richard Gras.
(continued)
PAGE 2 – IAN CAUBLE NAMED WORLD’S TOP YOUNG SOMMELIER
ENO is a custom-built, upscale wine tasting room located in The Ritz-Carlton, Half
Moon Bay. ENO guests enjoy breathtaking ocean views while sampling selected flights
of wine, cheese and chocolate, as well as wines by the glass and bottle. Ian Cauble
specializes in introducing guests to new and interesting wines while educating them on
aspects of wines, wineries and varietals.
The resort’s signature Vintner series, created by Ian Cauble features complimentary wine
selections upon check-in, a by-the-glass menu in The Conservatory Lounge, and wine
pairings with the Chef’s Tasting Menu in Navio. The Chef’s Tasting Menu, created by
Navio Executive Chef Richard Gras, is a custom-created six-course dining experience for
the entire table using the finest seasonal ingredients from local farms in California.
For interview requests of Ian Cauble, please contact [email protected].
For more information about the Vintner Series or to confirm dinner reservations in Navio,
please contact resort reservations at 650-712-7040. For hotel reservations, please visit
www.ritzcarlton.com/hmb, contact your travel professional or call Ritz-Carlton
worldwide reservations toll-free at (800) 241-3333. For more about the destination, visit
www.experiencehalfmoonbay.com.
Situated 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton,
Half Moon Bay is a 261-room destination spa and golf coastal hotel and the San
Francisco Bay Area’s only oceanfront resort. Set atop a rugged bluff overlooking 50
miles of pristine California coastline, the timeless oceanfront estate provides guests with
a relaxed yet refined experience, whether for a romantic getaway, meeting or special
event.