Alto Adige Wines US Ambassadors

We are pleased to announce our four US-based sommelier trade ambassadors for 2024. Chris Struck (New York) and Tiffany Tobey (Dallas) will continue to spread the word, knowledge, and love for Alto Adige wines in their respective markets, joined by two new ambassadors: Allison Bremer in San Francisco and Torrence O’Haire in Chicago.

Allison Bremer (San Francisco, CA): Allison is the Wine Director at Californios, a two-Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. She has worked in hospitality her entire career, starting in events and hotel management. Allison fell in love with wine slowly and moved to Napa Valley where she later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone with a Master’s degree in Wine Management. She is also a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Allison previously worked at Larkmead Vineyards in Napa and was the Sommelier/Assistant General Manager at Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant The Progress.[Instagram: @vivabonvino, @bremera]

Torrence O’Haire (Chicago, IL): Torrence is the Corporate Beverage Director for Gage Hospitality Group, where he manages wine programs and leads staff education across four Chicago-area restaurants. He is also a writer and the Chicago Ambassador for Star Wine List, a guide to restaurants and bars with top-tier wine lists. Torrence holds certifications from the Guild of Master Sommeliers, the Society of Wine Educators and Wine Scholars Guild. Prior to his role at Gage, he was a Professor of Wine & Spirits at Kendall College of Hospitality. He comes from a culinary background, having spent years as a chef, culinary instructor and food writer, with a particular penchant for Italian food, wine and culture. [Instagram: @bacchanology]

Chris Struck (New York, NY): An Alto Adige Trade Ambassador since 2023, Chris most recently was the beverage director at ilili Restaurant. He serves as a Program Director of the Sommelier Society of America and teaches wine classes at area retailers such as Astor Wines & Spirits; he previously taught at CUNY/CityTech’s Hospitality Management program. Chris holds certifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Society of Wine Educators, Court of Master Sommeliers, and Deutsche Wein und Sommelierschule. Chris began cooking professionally in his home state of Florida at the age of 14. He later earned degrees in Culinary Arts & Food Service Management and an Executive MBA in Food Marketing, with self-study trips to Europe working in kitchens and vineyards. NYC restaurant experience has also included sommelier/beverage director positions at Racines and Union Square Café. [Instagram: @chris_struck]

Tiffany Tobey (Dallas, TX): An Alto Adige Trade Ambassador since 2023, Tiffany is the Wine Director at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds degrees in Restaurant - Hotel Management and English. A semester studying wine tourism in Italy launched her love of wine. Previously, Tiffany worked as the wine director at Tower Club, an urban country club in Dallas, and SER Steak + Spirits. She also opened the Michelin-star restaurant concept Carbone in Dallas. Tiffany has judged the Sommeliers Choice Awards, the Somm Journal Wine Competition, and others, and has consulted for Forbes, VinePair, and Wine Enthusiast. She is currently pursuing a Graduate Degree in Viticulture through Texas Tech University. She is also the Texas representative for the upcoming series “SommTV - The History of Wine” and a mentor at Batonnage, an organization fostering the success of women in wine. [Instagram: @tiffanytobey]