Paul Coker has been in the wine industry for more than fifteen years, serving as a Wine Director and Sommelier. He began his career in retail as a buyer for Amazing Grapes Wine Store (Orange County, CA) before moving to the restaurant and hospitality side of the business, where he held leadership positions at The Cellar, Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern at St. Regis, Monarch Beach Resort, SRC Restaurant Group and Canlis. Coker played an integral role within the restaurant teams, respectively, which resulted in seven Wine Spectator Grand Awards and three James Beard Awards for Best Wine Service in America. He was also a finalist in the Best USA Sommelier competition in 2019 and won the Guild of Sommeliers Online Wine Knowledge Competition in 2020. Coker holds a Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.