What wines are up and what’s down in the nation’s top dining rooms?

Every January, we poll the top restaurants across the US about wine sales, tracking trends and compiling lists of most popular bottles. In order to put the statistics into context, we interview dozens of the sommeliers who fill out the poll. Here are excerpts from some of our conversations.

We’ll be posting interviews throughout the month, so check back for updates from some legendary spots across the country. And be on the lookout for the April issue, which will contain the full report.

Carlin Karr attended the California Culinary Academy and teamed up with some fellow alums to open Sons & Daughters in San Francisco. After a couple of years as the general manager and wine buyer there, she moved to Boulder, CO, for a sommelier job at Bobby Stuckey’s Frasca. She took over as Wine Director in 2016, and oversees the wine programs at all of the group’s restaurants, which now include Pizzeria Locale in Boulder, and Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl in Denver.