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Fifth Floor
San Francisco

• Fifth Floor

Master Sommelier Emily Wines first joined the 5th Floor team in 2000. Under the mentorship of Rajat Parr she refined her skills and knowledge. Within nine months she became the assistant sommelier. In her tenure as assistant the wine list gained the prestigious Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine and the restaurant was nominated for best wine service by the James Beard Foundation. She had the privilege of assisting Robert Parker two years in a row as he conducted formal tastings of California Zinfandels in the restaurant as well as conducting wine service for a 1999 Domaine de la Romanee Contee dinner featuring him.

In 2008, she became one of 159 people worldwide to have ever earned the designation of Master Sommelier. Emily was also awarded the Remi Krug Cup, for passing all three sections on her first attempt at the Examination.

In 2004 she took the helm as Wine Director of the restaurant and in 2005 she passed the Advanced Exam from the Court of Master Sommeliers. At the Fifth Floor she has created two innovative educational programs as an amenity to the clientele. The Wines on Wine series are fun, interactive, hour-long classes that take place in the lounge of the restaurant on a monthly basis. In the Sommelier Secrets program at the restaurant she provides private groups with courses ranging from introductory wine classes to advanced tasting and theory seminars. While living San Luis Obispo Wines was endeared to the wines of the central coast that are reflected on the wine list today. Relocating to San Francisco in 1999 she worked with Elka Gilmore where her association with wine director Vivian Gay opened the door to the wider world of wine. Food and wine enthusiasts will recognize her from six years of participating as a guest sommelier in the nationally known Masters of Food & Wine events at Carmel's Highlands Inn. Wines has also conducted appearances and speaking engagements for MFK Luxury Wine Summit, Women in Wine Forum, the World of Pinot Noir event in Shell Beach, and the prestigious Wine Spectator's Wine Experience in New York and San Francisco.