Private Client Consulting with John Szabo, Master Sommelier

Many of our high net worth clients simply do not have the time to follow the market and find wines matching their palate and cellar, often in very low quantity.  Similar to a financial adviser, they need someone to scan the market finding acquisitions best suited to their specific needs.

Iron Gate is proud to offer purchase consulting featuring John Szabo, the first Master Sommelier in Canada.  John works with a small and select group of our clients to develop a buying profile by extracting the current make-up of their cellar, desired wines, least desired wines, favorite countries and varietals, goals, consumption and entertainment volumes, budget and cellar goals.  Once the profile has been established John becomes a client’s “eyes and ears” to the wine world.  Wines are sourced by attending all Vintages pre-release tastings, trade tastings, private tastings and auctions. Purchased wines are then hand delivered directly to the clients cellar complete with tasting notes and drink recommendations.  If the client is utilizing a cellar inventory management system these wines will be uploaded remotely.

Let Iron Gate’s Private Client Consulting service help you build and maintain the cellar of your dreams and never miss out on that perfect acquisition.

About John Szabo

In 2004, John became Canada’s first Master Sommelier, now one of only 3 in the country. He has been working in the hospitality business at home and abroad for over 15 years, gaining experience in all aspects of the wine business including positions as varied as cook, sommelier, wine importer, restaurant & winery consultant, educator and wine writer. Today John specializes in restaurant beverage program design and management, custom cellar design, personal cellar management, and writing about wine. His text Sommelier Management is used by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, and he also teaches for the Court of Master Sommeliers and develops and delivers professional trade seminars for dozens of trade organizations.

John is known through his regular writing and wine reviews for Wine Align, Wine Access, CityBites Magazine Niagara & County Grapevine, as well as freelance for Wine & Spirits and other publications and dailies, and is heard regularly on Classical 96.3FM radio, sharing his latest finds from around the world of wine. To round out his experience and get closer to the land, he also owns a small vineyard in Eger, Hungary. As a holder of a 2^nd degree black belt in Karate, his grapes are well protected, too.