Steven Washuta

Biography at a Glance

Steven has over 17 total years of experience in various wine industry roles with the majority coming in the hospitality sector. He began his wine career in production after earning a 2 year enology and viticulture degree in Walla Walla, Washington. His career shifted to restaurants and hospitality after enrolling in the Court of Master Sommeliers, where he passed the advanced exam in 2016 and the master sommelier exam in 2018. From 2012-2020 he largely worked as a floor sommelier in San Francisco, Telluride and then New York City at various high-end restaurants. In New York he ran the wine program for Lidia Bastianich’s Felidia and then was opening beverage director for Portale. In 2020 he purchased a small liquor store in Denver and converted it into a specialty wine shop focusing heavily on classic European regions with the aim to provide fine-dining service in a retail setting.

Education

• Walla Walla Community College AAAS in Enology and Viticulture, Class of 2010
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Candidate, 2005-2008

Academic Positions Held

• Adjunct Wine of the World Professor at University of Denver

Awards and Honors

• Advanced Sommelier, CMS Americas
• Master Sommelier, CMS Americas (title currently suspended due to a cheating scandal that year in which he had no involvement)

Hobbies/Interests

• Wine
• World travel, especially to wine regions
• Food and cooking
• Skiing