February 17, 2026

by Daniel Johnnes

One of my most meaningful endeavors is the creation of the Sommelier Scholarship. I created this 501c3 about 10 years ago as a non-profit completely independent of all of our activities - La Paulée, La Fete du Champagne, La Tablée, Convivio, and Pressoir.

I realize how lucky I was early in my career to be able to enter the cellars of the most respected winemakers in Burgundy, the Rhône, Bordeaux, and Champagne.

This privilege is not nearly as accessible to today’s sommeliers - worldwide demand is much greater compared to 40 years ago, wines are distributed around the world making allocations smaller and smaller, and there is a large wine-loving public willing to travel which can overwhelm winemakers with visit requests.

My intention with the Sommelier Scholarship is to pass the privilege that I had to the next generation of sommeliers. I believe that in order to have a true understanding of a wine, it is important to see the terroir, smell the mold of a Burgundy cellar, see the wine-stained hands of the winemakers and come home with stories to tell and a more complete picture of a region.

The Sommelier Scholarship has been embraced by the winemaking community because of their understanding of the importance of sommeliers' role as their de facto ambassadors doing the yeoman's work of getting their lovingly crafted wines onto tables in restaurants and homes. 

The hardest-to-access domaines have opened their cellar doors to us and uncorked their most precious bottles, grateful for the work we are doing in furthering the culture of wine in the United States.

These all expenses paid trips to France are funded by the generosity of our wine loving community.

I invite you to support this endeavor by making a direct donation to the Sommelier Scholarship.

We are also hosting a Pressoir Apéro on Tuesday, February 17 at Restaurant DANIEL whose proceeds will benefit the fund. There will be a number of silent auction lots available during this tasting - you can bid in person or remotely. Stay tuned for an announcement on the lineup of lots and how to bid.