Ian Cauble
Sonoma State University (2003)
Head Sommellier
Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
In 2011, Sonoma State graduate Ian Cauble was named Top Young Sommelier of the World by the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the world’s oldest gastronomic society based in Paris.
"Ian Cauble is an incredibly talented sommelier," says Steven Holt, director of public relations for The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay where Cauble is the head sommelier. In the 10 years since graduating from Sonoma State University, Cauble has also been awarded Top Sommelier of the Western United States by the Guild of Sommeliers and voted one of the “Best New Sommeliers” in the U.S. by Wine and Spirits magazine.
"It was my wine classes at Sonoma State University that first got me interested in wine," Cauble says. "I was especially hooked when I went on SSU’s wine class trip to Chile." He majored in international business at SSU with an emphasis in wine business and Spanish. Upon graduation, Cauble set off for Europe where he worked at the Royal Oporto, Portugal’s oldest port house. He spent the next 13 months traveling Europe, North Africa and India exploring wines and cuisines.
A native Californian, Cauble then returned to the United States where he worked at several top wine destinations in the country, including: Aubergine and Le Quai restaurants of Newport Beach, Fleur de Lys of Las Vegas and the restaurants of Jardiniere and Spruce in San Francisco.
Source: Sonoma State University