David LeClaire

Sommelier

David served as the wine director at Seattle's Alexis Hotel (and Painted Table restaurant) for ten years.

He is a certified sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and currently (2015) serves as Wine Ambassador for Esquin Wine & Spirits.

He founded Wine World & Spirits, the largest independent wine store in the Northwest and was awarded the "2013 Independent Retailer of the Year" award by the Washington Wine Commission, and was featured in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

David also founded the wine club Seattle Uncorked (www.seattleuncorked.com) and produces a wide array of wine, spirits and beer events each year. He also creates numerous charity fundraisers and promotional wine events.

He is often booked for speaking engagements for wine clubs and special events, is an instructor at both Bellevue College and North Seattle College, and serves as judge for various wine competitions including the Oregon & Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, and Seattle Magazine's Washington Wine Awards.

David is a freelance writer for the Washington Tasting Room Magazine, and a wine program and marketing consultant with Q Hospitality Management.

January 2015