Our team

The people behind your tasting.

While Sophia would happily host every tasting herself, demand has grown faster than one calendar allows. So she brought on three certified sommeliers who share our mission. No matter who leads your tasting, you’ll get a consistent Sips experience.

Sips Somms

Meet our Somms

Three certified sommeliers, each with years in the wine industry. They joined for the same reason: they share our mission and host the way we always have. Engaging, knowledgeable, approachable, and fun.

Sips Somm

Vic Pagan

WSET Level 3 with Distinction · 5+ years in wine

Vic joins the Sips Somm team after an amazing year working with Sophia and over five years in the wine industry. After a lot of hard (but fun!) studying, she was awarded WSET Level 3 with Distinction and is ready to bring deep knowledge, passion, and creativity to Sips tastings.

In a world that often seems daunting or inaccessible, Vic is happiest connecting over wine with anyone, whether or not they've experimented with tasting. With a so-called adventurous palate, she considers herself a connoisseur of anything orange and/or funky, but will always have a soft spot for the saltiest white wine.

Specializing in small producers with great stories, women in winemaking, and highlighting diversity in the industry, Vic is dedicated and excited about all things wine.

Sips Somm

Dani Heslin

WSET Level 2 · Nearly 4 years in wine retail

Dani is thrilled to join the Somm team at Sips. She's been working in the wine industry for nearly four years with a focus on retail, and currently holds her WSET Level 2 certification. With a background in arts education and performing, she leads with curiosity first and is looking forward to helping you find your next favorite sip.

You'll most often find her nursing a chilled and vegetal cabernet franc or the nattiest pet nat available. In the spirit of the Sips mission, Dani hopes to keep making wine tasting and education more accessible. Let's taste some wine!

Sips Somm

Max Kern

CMS Certified Sommelier · Institute of Culinary Education

Max is a wine lover and CMS Certified Sommelier who studied wine at the Institute of Culinary Education. He has spent years working at his family's vineyard, Il Palazzone in Montalcino, where he developed a special appreciation for Italian reds.

His passion for wine, food, and hospitality has carried him through a range of restaurant roles, and he currently works at Borgo in Manhattan. Max loves the educational side of tasting and believes anyone can fall in love with wine once they find the right one.

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