Beverage Expert
Wanda Mann
Wanda Mann has been writing about wine for over fifteen years. She is the East Coast Editor for The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Wanda's writing has also been published in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, NAPA Magazine, Saveur, and other publications. An in-demand speaker, Wanda has been featured at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and Charleston, the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. She is also an ambassador for Star Wine List. Wanda's wine expertise has landed her media appearances on television and radio. Wanda's love of wine was kickstarted by her professional chef father, two years of study abroad in Spain, and her previous career as a professional events planner. Wanda serves on the board of the Society of Wine Educators and is a past president of Les Dames d'Escoffier New York.
Sabato Sagaria
Sabato is New York City based Master Sommelier and Restaurateur whose career has included leadership roles at esteemed restaurants and hotels around the country including The Little Nell Hotel, The Inn at Little Washington, and The Greenbrier Hotel. In 2020 he became founding partner in Apres Cru Hospitality whose partnerships include Marc Forgione’s Respect Hospitality, Los Angles based, Petit Trois with Chef Ludo Lefebvre, Pig & Khao Hospitality, the iconic speakeasy Please Don’t Tell, and the East Village institution Crif Dog’s.
Before co-founding Apres Cru, Sabato was President of bartaco, helping grow the company to 22 restaurants. In addition, he spent four years as Chief Restaurant Officer of Danny Meyer's, Union Square Hospitality Group where he oversaw the company’s portfolio of 17 New York based restaurants.
When not working, you can catch him cooking at home, on the golf course, or by seeing him on the little screen in the SOMM documentaries.
Gary Obligacion
Gary Obligacion is a seasoned hospitality executive. He is currently the Vice President of Food & Beverage for Aparium Hotel Group -- a Chicago-based hospitality company with a portfolio of unique hotel properties across the United States.
Prior to joining Aparium, Gary spent 8-1/2 years as Director of Operations and then Director of Development for The Alinea Group in Chicago, which owns and operates four Chicago-based, award-winning restaurants -- Alinea, Next, Aviary, and Roister.
Gary's 40-year hospitality career started in 1984 at Alice Water's landmark restaurant, Chez Panisse, while he attended the University of California, Berkeley. His management experience runs from small groups like Aparium, high end restaurants like Alinea, to luxury hotels (Post Ranch Inn, Pebble Beach Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotels), and world class events like The FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen and Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
When given a chance, Gary will find a way to get outdoors and enjoy a long walk and some fresh air. Otherwise, any day with friends and a bottle of wine is a really good day.
Anthony Giglio
Anthony Giglio is one of the most entertaining wine and spirits authorities on the planet. He is a writer, educator and storyteller who motivates countless imbibers to trust their own tastes and relax the rules.
Anthony is the Wine Director for The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network, and a longtime Contributing Editor to Food & Wine Magazine. Giglio has written 11 books, including the annual Food & Wine Guide, several editions Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide Cocktails in New York, and Passport to Italian Wine.
Throughout his career, Anthony has attracted countless admirers who appreciate his sense of humor as much as they do his insight and his perspective, which is that wine is best regarded as a pleasure, not a problem. His memorable knack for storytelling, coupled with his uproarious sense of humor, makes him one of the most sought-after speakers in the wine world and beyond.
Anthony is currently a wine reporter for CBS News Radio, as well as the longtime 'Online Sommelier' for the Food & Wine Connoisseur Club. He has written for numerous publications, including New York, Esquire, Details, The New York Observer, Robb Report, Worth, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Travel + Leisure, Departures and Parade.
He has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Food Network, CNBC, and FOX Business News and has been featured several times in The New York Times. Giglio has been invited twice to speak at The Moth, a Peabody Award- winning not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling.
Miles White
Miles White co-owns and operates Graft Wine Shop with his business partner/old friend Femi Oyediran in his hometown of Charleston, SC. After traveling the world working at wineries and his dream restaurants in his early 20's, he decided it was time to return home to the Lowcountry and bring his love of all things wine/music/food to the good people of Charleston. Although wine is his passion, he finds love in all things food & beverage, namely frozen drinks, long neck beers and foods his doctor tells him to avoid.
Femi Oyediran
Femi is a sommelier and the co-owner of Graft Wine Shop in Charleston, SC. He discovered his passion for wine while working at one of Charleston's most celebrated dining destinations, The Charleston Grill at the Charleston Place Hotel. During his time at the Grill, he made the rare achievement of passing the first three levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers within two years. He is also a two-time national finalist for the Chaine des Rotisseurs Best Young Sommelier in America competition and the winner of the 2017 & 2019 Top Somm Blind Tasting Competition of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. He was awarded Wine Enthusiast Magazine's 2018 '40 Under 40' and was selected as Sommelier of the Year by Food and Wine Magazine in 2019.