Spotlight on Best of the Bay 2025 Sommelier Nominees

The People Defining Tampa Bay’s Wine Culture

Each year, Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay Awards spotlight the people, places, and plates that shape Tampa Bay culture. The Best of the Bay 2025 nominees for Best Sommelier represent a standout group of wine professionals.

Eight nominees took time to reflect on their paths, sharing a wide range of experience and perspective. All are passionate about making wine more approachable, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable.

Below, meet the Tampa Bay wine professionals who opened up about where they work, how they got started, and what’s inspiring them right now.

We’re grateful to those who participated and plan to spotlight more Best of the Bay 2025 nominees for Best Sommelier as we’re able.



St. Pete

Chris Ciarcia

Owner & Sommelier, Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria

📍 St. Petersburg, FL

Pictured: Chris Ciarcia

Chris Ciarcia is the owner and sommelier behind Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria in downtown St. Pete, one of the city’s most wine-focused restaurant concepts. His hospitality roots run deep, beginning in Connecticut with roles at Chili’s, Uno Pizzeria, and Dakota Steakhouse before moving to Florida, where he worked at The Rusty Pelican, The Birchwood, and Annata Wine Bar. Chris is a Certified Sommelier and brings that depth of experience to everything he curates at Sauvignon.

What he loves most about working with wine? “The friendships and bonds you make while sharing a glass,” he says. “Also, wine makes your food more yummy.”

As for what he’s drinking lately, it’s all about refreshing sips to beat the Florida heat. “It’s summer, so I’ve been reaching for whites, rosés, and especially sparkling wines. At home, I’ve been enjoying Pinot Noir. And if I’m out for a meal, a nice Sangiovese with a burger has been hitting the spot.”

“I’m really excited about our updated wine list, especially the wines we offer by the glass,” Chris says. “We have over 40 different options in our BTG program—wines with age on them, carefully picked to complement our culinary team’s creations.”

Want to know when to go? See Sauvignon Wine Locker’s happy hour details here.

@sauvignonstpete
sauvignonstpete.com


Dylan Ruhé

Managing Partner, Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge

📍 St. Petersburg, FL

Pictured: Dylan Ruhé

“As the Managing Partner at Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge, I bring over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having had the privilege to work alongside culinary luminaries such as Chris Ponte, David Chang, Nobu, Shaun Hergart, and Anne Kearney,” Dylan says.

That foundation shaped his approach to wine service today. While he’s fascinated by the intricacies of operations, his passion lies in creating an approachable experience for guests. “Working with wine presents a unique opportunity, as many find it intimidating. I see it as my personal responsibility to simplify wine for the novice while elevating the experience for the more discerning guest.”

Mentorship is central to Dylan’s philosophy. He believes the wine industry’s future depends on supporting staff and giving them the tools to thrive. “Ultimately, I believe that our staff are the cornerstone of the wine industry’s future; nurturing their knowledge and confidence is essential.”

At Pulpo, Dylan’s vision comes through in a curated list that focuses on just a few regions. As he puts it, this approach allows him to uncover ‘hidden gems that might otherwise remain overlooked’—wines that, he says, ‘deepen the connection between our guests and the world of wine.’

@gathering_rocks


Lynsey Carlson

Bar Manager, Bar Chinchilla

📍 St. Petersburg, FL

Pictured: Lynsey Carlson

Lynsey Carlson may be newer to the wine world, but she’s already making waves in St. Pete’s growing scene. She manages the bar program at Bar Chinchilla, where she’s helped build a wine-focused space that stands out for its vibe and global selections.

She’s been in the industry just under three years and discovered her love of wine while working behind the bar at Chinchilla. “I believe in any job or career, educating yourself on what you’re sharing or selling to others is so important,” she says. That philosophy led her to pursue wine education through WSET, with plans to sit for her Level 2 exam later this summer. Read about what it’s like to take WSET Level 1 in St. Pete.

For Lynsey, wine is about exploration and connection. “I love how it forces you to explore your palate and learn about not just what you’re tasting by why you’re tasting, how terroir or winemaking processes can change a variety so vastly in one bottle to the other,” she says. “And I love how it brings people together, whether you’re meeting with your pals for happy hour and some cheese or bringing a bottle to the beach for a sunset- there’s a wine for every occasion!”

Right now, she’s most excited about the local momentum behind wine. “I’m really exciting about all the enthusiasm behind wine in St. Pete, we have really grown a community here for it and I think it fits so well.  I love being able to try new and different wines, discovering some cool finds and supporting our local bottle shops and wine bars- that’s where the good stuff is.”

Disclaimer: Lynsey is not yet a certified sommelier, but she is currently pursuing her WSET Level 2 and is honored to be recognized as a Best of the Bay 2025 nominee alongside so many local wine professionals.


Pam Coyle

Lead Server & Wine Buyer, Fortu
• Wine Columnist, St. Pete Life

📍 St. Petersburg, FL

Pam Coyle, nominee for best sommelier for Best of the Bay 2025
Pictured: Pam Coyle

Pam Coyle is a vital part of St. Pete’s wine world. She leads service at Fortu, assists in wine buying, food pairings, and staff training, and writes the wine column for St. Pete Life magazine. You might also spot her supporting Events By The Glass, run by fellow nominee Sharon Mahoney, at local tastings around town.

Her wine journey began in downtown Chicago while working at a farm-to-table restaurant. A group of coworkers formed a study group and earned their introductory certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers. That led her west to Mount Shasta, California, where she became beverage director at the area’s largest restaurant, surrounded by wineries, especially in the Rogue Valley AVA.

When she returned home to St. Pete, Pam dove into the local scene with guidance from fellow nominees Chris Ciarcia and Sharon Mahoney. She also gives a nod to Ryan McSwiggin at Lilac for the creativity he brings to the table. “I think we have a great support system in this town and a lot of interest in the community in wine,” she says. “Luckily, we have some great lists and shops to taste through as well!”

For Pam, wine is a way to connect: to place, to people, and to memory. “I love watching people share a bottle and creating memories through it. It’s the best feeling when guests return and seek the same bottle you recommended once again.”

She’s especially passionate about connecting with younger wine drinkers and understanding what draws them in. “I like finding what interests younger drinkers and how to cater to their tastes,” she says. “Wine from non-conventional places, wines made with little to no intervention, and bottles discovered at a good value all help them feel like they’ve found something new and exciting.”

@instapaamm


Sharon Mahoney

Owner & Sommelier,
Events by the Glass
Co-Owner & Wine Director,
Savoir on Central

📍 St. Petersburg, FL

Pictured: Sharon Mahoney

After a successful career in corporate retail, Best of the Bay 2025 nominee Sharon Mahoney discovered her passion for wine through a single class, was bitten by the “wine bug,” as she calls it, and never looked back.

Today, she holds an impressive list of credentials including a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits, Certified Educator (WSET), and certifications from the Wine Scholar Guild, Society of Wine Educators, and the Court of Master Sommeliers, where she is a Certified Sommelier.

As both an educator and beverage director, Sharon thrives on introducing guests to wines they might not have encountered otherwise. “The opportunity to introduce our guests to a new favorite region and wine variety,” she says, is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“The world of wine is vast and there’s always something new to experience!”

Right now, she’s especially excited about Savoir on Central, the new St. Pete wine bar she co-owns, set to open in early August. “We’re curating an amazing wine list and class schedule at Savoir on Central with our amazing sommelier team,” she says. The goal is a space where wine education feels fun, accessible, and community-driven. Learn more about the Savoir Wine Club here.

EventsByTheGlass.com
@eventsbytheglass

SavoirOnCentral.com
@savoironcentral


Tampa

Jayme Kosar

CEO and Founder, Society Wine Bar

📍 Ybor City, FL

Pictured: Jayme Kosar

Jayme Kosar opened the original Ybor City Wine Bar in 2012, with a vision for something Tampa didn’t yet have: a bar offering 200 wines by the glass. “Back then, there really wasn’t much of a wine scene here,” she says. “I wanted to expand the culture of wine in Tampa Bay.”

More than a decade later, she’s built Society Wine Bar into a Florida franchise, with locations in Ybor, Naples, and Apollo Beach—and more expansion plans in motion. “We get leads every day,” she says. “But I keep them close, so I can support them. That helps them succeed.”

A Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Jayme holds more than a dozen wine certifications. She teaches advanced courses for the United States Sommelier Association, where vineyard tours and harvest visits are a core part of the curriculum. “When you know exactly how the wine gets in the glass—that’s a real somm to me.”

Her guiding principle remains rooted in sharing wine through experience: “I can suggest and be the best somm in the world; but if you don’t like the wine, it matters not.”

“It’s your palate, your party.”

Jayme Kosar has won Best of the Bay Best Sommelier 2018, 2019 2020 and 2024.

ownawinebar.com


Dunedin

Adam Paul

Head Sommelier & Maître D’, The Black Pearl

📍 Dunedin, FL

Adam Paul, nominee for best sommelier for Best of the Bay 2025
Pictured: Adam Paul

A Best of the Bay 2025 nominee, Adam Paul’s wine journey is rooted in one of the most iconic wine programs in the country. He started in hospitality early, landing a role as a food runner at Bern’s Steak House in 2003. A year later, he entered their rigorous trade program, an intensive four-year path to becoming a senior waiter and sommelier.

It was the hardest thing I ever did in my entire life, but also the most fulfilling,” Adam says. “I feel very fortunate to have had access to the greatest wines ever made, and in some respects being able to taste some of the greatest wines ever made.”

After nearly two decades at Bern’s, Adam moved to Dunedin in 2020 to be closer to family, just as the pandemic hit. That time also inspired him to pursue formal certifications, including WSET courses at the Epicurean Hotel across the street from Bern’s. Shortly after, he was offered a leadership role at The Black Pearl, tasked with building the restaurant’s wine program from the ground up, as well as managing front-of-house operations.

Ask him what he loves most about wine, and you’ll hear a blend of heart and heritage. “History,” he says. “History of the region, history of the vineyard and the history of the people who make it. Equal to that would be how it makes people feel.”

“Watching people’s emotions as they taste something for the first time and immediately fall in love with it — that truly touches my heart.”

Adam’s passion is ongoing. He’s constantly excited by new wines, standout vintages, unexpected pairings, and anything that deepens both his knowledge and the guest experience. “I love how dynamic wine can be,” he says. “I love to see how a wine develops and matures as it ages — how it grows up, if you will.”


New Port Richey

Madison Allen

Head Bartender, Estuar

📍 New Port Richey, FL

Photo of Madison Allen, 2025 Best of the Bay nominee for Best Sommelier
Pictured: Madison Allen

Madison Allen moved to Florida from Minneapolis, where she spent years behind the bar at acclaimed restaurants like Saffron, HauteDish, and The Hewing Hotel. Her background includes brand development work for Peroni and Pilsner Urquell, extensive spirit and cocktail training, and a competitive streak in mixology. Before relocating, she served as Bar Director at 801 Chophouse, a role that sparked her deeper interest in wine.

Since landing in New Port Richey, she’s been the Head Bartender at Estuary and briefly served as Wine Director at The Restorative in Dunedin. In June 2024, Madison passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Introductory Sommelier exam and is now seeking a tasting group to help her prepare for the Certified level. “I’m looking for a tasting group in the Bay Area focused on the CMS Certified Somm exam — if you know any, let me know!” she says.

She’s especially drawn to the intricate details behind a wine’s character: soil, sun, slope. But what fuels her passion is translating those complexities into stories guests can connect with.

“That moment when you connect with the guest and discover the perfect wine for their tastes is one of the reasons I truly love my job.”

“Our wine list at Estuary is really cool right now,” Madison says. “We’re trying to bring in some lesser-known blends and varietals, especially from Italy like Inzolia and Passerina.”

She recently attended a tasting with Guasti Clemente at Sip on Grand and is excited to explore more of their portfolio beyond the Barbera d’Asti she already loves.

@maddawgusa


How to Vote Best of the Bay

Best of the bay nominate details and party dates

You can vote in Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay 2025 once per day in each category by visiting vote.cltampa.com. Voting is open now and runs through August 20 at midnight, so be sure to show your support for your favorite wine bars, restaurants, and sommeliers before the deadline.

Thank you to all the sommeliers who shared their stories with us. Your insight, passion, and presence help shape the way Tampa Bay drinks, and we’re lucky to have you.