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.

After a two-year stint at Eleven Madison Park in NYC, Paula de Pano headed to Pittsboro, North Carolina, to take over the wine program at the Fearrington House Inn from Maximilian Kast. De Pano was familiar with the program already, having trained with Kast when she’d graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2010. In a little over a year since she’s been back, she’s trimmed...

Read the full Interview