Introducing Brookhaven’s very own Wine Geek, George Fifles

We are very pleased to have George join the Brookhaven team because he brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge about wine to our stores.  Customers all love interacting with George because there is not a pretentious bone in his body.  You can be a wine collector with a collection worth several thousand dollars or a wine novice who doesn’t know one varietal from another and George will be happy to answer your questions and help you make a wine choice that you will enjoy.  He believes in keeping information about wine user friendly.  “My philosophy is that wine should be fun. It's all about people getting together, enjoying wine and experiencing wines, expanding our wine horizons if you will. “
 
Many people are intimidated by wines.  Our job is to get them to be less intimidated by taking the snobbishness away from the equation.  We feel that we have succeeded when our customers feel that they can become a bit more adventuresome.  As our customers become more at ease asking George for wine advice they begin to gain more appreciation for wine, before too long they discover  some great new favorites. 

We are all students of wine, learning from each other.  What dish did you try with that wine that was the perfect match for you?  What great wine did you taste that brought your passion for wine to a new level?   “ I've really been interested in wine for about 20 years, but really developed a passion for it about 14 years ago.”  The "Wine Geek" status really was attained when George tried a fantastic wine for the first time.  It was Caymus Special Selection 1997.  You see, 1997 was considered the "year of the century" for wines in Napa.  “We popped open a bottle of that wine at dinner for a special occasion, and the wine had a profound impact on me.  We joke that when we get a "WOW factor" wine, people don't say a much.  Our eyes will always widen and we just say, "WHOA".  Caymus Special Selection 1997 was certainly the defining moment for me.”
 
George grew up in the restaurant and chocolate industry for many years, as a result  have a passion for both.  He  was trained as a sommelier by five master sommeliers.  Most recently he has managed several restaurants, including some very large ones.  For example, he worked for Dick Portillo, managing Key Wester, a 650 seat restaurant with a well respected wine list.  In another position George was the General Manager of Luigi's House, a 600 seat Italian restaurant, where he developed an award winning wine list of over 250 wines, including many highly acclaimed wines, and many verticals.  While at Luigi's House, he developed one of the best restaurant wine lists in the world and for his efforts the restaurant was awarded Wine Spectator Magazine's Award of Excellence, four years in a row.   George has developed wine lists at several other restaurants and continues as a consultant in that capacity today. 
In addition to his work at Brookhaven Marketplace and as a restaurant wine consultant, George also  ly manages purchases of wine for private collectors including one with over 2,500 bottles, with many rare vintages, verticals, and rare brands from many countries. 
 
Travel is also something that George enjoys immensely and has made a business of it.  Several times every year he visits the Caribbean where he helps manage a great villa which overlooks four islands on the British Virgin Islands.  He sometimes does concierge service, with private dining, private chefs and wine service.  There are some great wines available in the islands, and he loves to find them and serve them to guests on the pool deck which has one of the most spectacular views on earth.  Ironically enough, some of his other trips each year are wine tours to Napa County CA, go figure!  Wine is definitely part of every aspect of George’s exciting life.

Please make a point of meeting George at our Burr Ridge store where you will find him sampling wine answering questions and making wine suggestions most weekends.

Have a question for George? Email Him Here              

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