In this episode of the Vint Podcast, we sit down with Cristie Norman, the lead sommelier at Delilah in the Wynn Las Vegas and a 2024 James Beard Award nominee. Cristie shares how she built one of the most exciting luxury wine programs in Las Vegas, with a focus on large format Bordeaux, Champagne, and rare back-vintage bottles. She also discusses her early journey in wine, her role in co-founding the United Sommeliers Foundation, and the culture shift she experienced moving from LA to Vegas.
Cristie offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve high-roller guests in a modern supper club setting—where six-liter bottles of Opus One and vintage Dom Pérignon are the norm. She walks us through how her team manages a massive inventory, executes top-level bottle service, and delivers a wine experience that balances club energy with world-class hospitality. Cristie also shares her top tips for decanting, preserving wine, and sourcing the best wines from birth-year vintages.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
01:19 Upcoming Bordeaux Trip and Wine Tasting Insights
04:52 2024 Bordeaux Vintage and Market Trends
07:30 Challenges and Dynamics of En Primeur System
10:03 Introducing Guest: Cristie Norman
14:27 Crristie Norman's Journey and Achievements
17:56 Inside Delilah: A Modern Supper Club Experience
31:42 Architectural Wonders and Wine Culture in Las Vegas
32:51 Challenges of the Culinary Union
35:39 Building a Motivated Wine Team
38:19 Efficient Wine Service Techniques
41:05 Managing Large Wine Formats
49:33 Wine Preservation Tips and Tools
53:29 Vintage Wine Recommendations and Final Thoughts
The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.
To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.
Cheers!
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