Meet the CA 2021 Sommelier Award Winners

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Charlotte Randolph

As Californios co-owner and beverage director, Randolph curates a list that accentuates the unique cuisine of her partner/chef/brother-in-law Val Cantu— a foundation of traditional Mexican specialties rendered with local, seasonal products. Champagne, local Chardonnay, and Mexican labels all reside on the impressive list. Here, Randolph chats oolong tea, sake and sushi, and natural wine.

What are you drinking these days?I am currently on a Croatian white wine kick. I visited this summer and am obsessed. Talk to me next week and it'll be something different, but pour me a glass of Malvazija or Stina Pošip and I will be content! Hopefully I'm not being obnoxiously esoteric, but they truly make a great summer white wine alternative!

What’s your favorite non-alcoholic drink?Winter Sprout Oolong tea from Song Tea in San Francisco. It tastes like cotton candy and lemongrass and gets me caffeinated for service.

What wine industry or drinking trends do you see coming up?Natural wine everywhere. Some of it is good and some of it is bad.