André Mack is an ardent wine educator who has hosted seminars and lead panel discussions at top industry gatherings across the United States, including Aspen Food & Wine Classic and Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival. Mack was the rst African-American to be named Best Young Sommelier in America by Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was a sommelier at Thomas Keller’s renowned French Laundry before helping open Chef Keller’s three- Michelin-starred Per Se as head sommelier.
Mack now produces wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley under his own label, Mouton Noir, sold all over the world. A self-taught graphic designer, Mack designs all of the labels as well as a t-shirt line for Mouton Noir; other clients include Joel Gott and Palm Bay Imports. Most recently, Mack authored and illustrated Small Thyme Cooks, the world’s rst culinary coloring and activity book
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Despite having a successful career with Citicorp Investment Services, Mack decided to leave his “desk job” to pursue his passion for wine. While working as a sommelier in San Antonio, Mack discovered the joys of introducing guests to the little known vineyards that first attracted him to the business and “the instant gratification of a guest’s reaction.”
While still in Texas, Mack was awarded the prestigious title of Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs. This recognition led to a job as sommelier at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned French Laundry in Yountville, California. Mack went on to accept the position of Head Sommelier at Keller’s equally famed Per Se in New York City, where he managed a 1500-selection award-winning wine list and consulted regularly with Chef Keller on menu and pairing development.
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Winemaking had always been a dream of his and came to fruition in 2007 when he founded Mouton Noir Wines. Throughout his career, Mack has forged special relationships with star growers and winemakers from Oregon and it is with this luminary group that he is currently making his most exciting wines. Mouton Noir wines are served at the best restaurants across the United States. He recently began curating wines for Club W, a wine club for a new generation of drinkers, to continue his mission of making wine more accessible.
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Based on the success of his own wine labels, in 2011 Mack established Get Fraiche Cru, a boutique graphic design firm, for which he serves as creative director. He has worked with clients such as Joel Gott, Palm Bay Imports, and Charles & Charles.
Mack has been married since 2008 to author Phoebe Damrosch, whose New York Times notable book, Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter, detailed their courtship and collaboration in opening Per Se restaurant.
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Mack has been featured in major publication such as Food and Wine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, New York Times, The Huffington Post, and Wall Street Journal. Mr. Mack has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to business. He was honored in 2007 with The Network Journal’s 40-Under-Forty Achievement Award. Mack is an ardent wine educator who has been invited to host seminars as well as lead panel discussions at several of the country’s most prestigious food and wine gatherings including Aspen Food and Wine and Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival.
Wine Influencer: @andrehmack