Gabe de la Vega – Rio Grill
101 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel (831) 424-4555, riogrill.com
Rio owner Tony Tollner recalls thinking, of his wine director Gabe de la Vega: I can do what he does. “Then I realized, after speaking to him, I couldn’t.” De la Vega earned his level 1 sommelier certification and now directs Rio’s wine program with what Tollner describes as adherence and commitment. With 250 bottles on Rio’s wine list, it’s a vast job that melds organizational skills and people skills as de la Vega gracefully imparts his wine knowledge to diners, helping them select just the right bottle to complement Rio’s food. “He lives and breathes wine,” Tollner says. “And he continues to be a sponge about the wine business.” Sky-high praise from the boss indeed.