Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco’s Wine Director, Nicole Kosta has been instrumental in hosting a series of successful Winemaker Dinners since joining the hotel in early 2008.

This sequence of international wine tastings, seminars and gourmet meals are designed to showcase some of the world’s most prominent wine-producing regions, while enlightening the participants about the subtle art of wine pairing. Kosta hosts each class and turns the spotlight on distinguished guest winemakers from around the globe. Following the guest speaker’s seminar and tasting, participants enjoy a paired dinner with the featured wines. Accolades from Wine Spectator and Tasting Panel magazines paid tribute to her wine programs.

An Australian native, Kosta was born in the well-known wine regions of Barossa Valley and Mclaren Vale, her passion for wine started at an early age.  Her love of all things wine began when she worked in the fine dining room at Adelaide Casino. In 1994, she graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science in organic chemistry. Rather than toil in a laboratory, Nicole continues to apply her education to wine.

She moved to San Francisco from Michigan where she earned her Sommelier Certification. She studied with Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, one of the country’s first female sommeliers at Matt Prentice Restaurant Group, Bloomfield Hills, MI. She then served as Wine Director at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Livonia, Michigan, implementing its wine education curriculum and ‘100 wines by the glass’ program.

Nicole has served as sommelier at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Napa Valley Wine Auction events, San Francisco Chefs, San Francisco Luxury Council and the Australian Wine Panel. Currently her favorite wines are Ruinart blanc de blanc, Champagne and any pinot from Hirsch Vineyards, especially her own ‘The Journey.’

For detailed information, reservations or questions please call Wine Director Nicole Kosta at +1 (415) 276 9724 or email nkosta@mohg.com.