The convenient part of living in a community with its own certified sommelier is that you always have a wine expert at your fingertips. From wine selection advice for a dinner party to curating your own custom wine cellar, our Director of Food & Beverage Alex Young is an incredible resource for our owners.
Educational Wine Classes
As a certified sommelier, Alex offers monthly educational wine classes for owners to learn more about how grapes, aging, and soil all create different flavor profiles. Owners are able to taste different wines, learn about their flavor profile, and identify their preferences. Learning the difference between new world versus old world wines, base notes and finishing flavors helps owners find a new appreciation for vineyards and wine labels around the world. Pairing recommendations and private tastings for families is also a special offering from our wine program.
Curating Wine Collections
For owners with a more advanced appreciation for wine - some that have private wine collections and custom wine cellars - Alex is also here to help curate their private collections. He routinely personally shops for owners, keeping in mind their preferred tasting notes from buttery whites to spicy reds, and will help customize to their taste. Even down to helping choose the best refrigeration system, or advising how the wine should be stored. We have a few owners that are specifically Bordeaux drinkers, so Alex has helped build collections of this specific and intriguing wine as some have to age for 5-15 years before uncorking. For the bigger collections and wine cellars, Alex will even help with the owner's wine inventory, keeping cellars stocked throughout the year.
Special Events
When it comes to special occasions, having the right wine can make all the difference. Whether it be a private dinner party or a family wedding, Alex is a trusty resource for owners, offering recommendations based on preference and occasion. Beyond our community here, Alex has accompanied owners through our Owner Services department on a trip to Napa, California where wine enthusiasts had the opportunity to visit special vineyards. Alex builds close relationships with owners to understand their palate and work with them on a personal level.
Regardless of service or need, Alex truly enjoys helping owners with their love - or learning - of wine. His expertise and knowledge is an added bonus for our owners here at Brays, and something they often take advantage of.