Erik Segelbaum is an Advanced
Sommelier, Food & Wine Magazine 2019
Sommelier of the Year, and 2020 Wine
Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker. His
experience includes Corporate Beverage
Director for Starr Restaurants, Head
Sommelier of MV The World, and Corporate
Wine Director of Schwartz Brothers
Restaurants.
Erik is the founder of GoodSomm -a luxury
lifestyle wine club, is the co-owner of Certo
-luxury RTD cocktails, and SWIG Partners -
an import and distribution facilitation
agency. He has been Smithsonian’s
national wine educator since 2019, hosting
monthly consumer classes. Additionally,
Erik is an editor and journalist for most
major consumer and trade publications
including Food & Wine Magazine, Wine
Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal,
Tasting Panel, and more.
He can frequently be found moderating and
presenting at the nation’s most prestigious
trade and consumer conferences including
the Aspen Food and Wine Classic, Pebble
Beach Food and Wine, South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Sommcon and more.
Additional accolades include Certified Specialist of Wine (with distinction) with the Society
of Wine Educators, and Wine and Spirits Locations Specialist (with distinction). Erik’s
experience includes 10 years as a fine dining chef and over 20 years as a sommelier.
Segelbaum has opened 30+ restaurants and hotels from Michelin Star fine dining to fast
casual and multi-unit concepts. Segelbaum serves as the Vice President of the United
Sommeliers Foundation, a charity that provides financial assistance to wine professionals
in critical need and was awarded the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star award in 2025 for social
visionary of the year.