Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen
Jeff's passion for wine and fine cuisine has lead him around the world in pursuit of strengthening his knowledge and feeding his passion. To gain a deeper understanding of the vast world of wine he has worked the harvest at esteemed estates in Burgundy, New Zealand and here at home in Washington and Oregon. In addition to exploring the great wine regions of the world Jeff has been hard at work at here in the Pacific Northwest.
He holds an Advanced Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Sommelier Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild. In 2008, he won the Pacific Northwest Super-Regional Best Young Sommelier Competition and competed as a finalist in the national competition hosted by La Chaine des Rotisseurs International Food & Wine Society.
Jeff has had the honor of working alongside several of the Pacific Northwest's best chefs, restauranteurs, sommeliers, and winemakers while honing his craft. As Wine & Spirits Director of the multi-award-winning wine program at Seattle's Cascadia Restaurant, Jeff built an internationally renowned wine program. In 2009, he was given the task of developing a dynamic wine program for the much anticipated second location, of the celebrated Wild Ginger restaurant in Bellevue, WA.
Not one to just talk the talk, in 2007, Jeff took his passion to the next level founding WT Vintners with George and George White. Jeff has also begun the rigorous challenge of completing the Master Sommelier exam. In the summer of 2010, Jeff's commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the marriage of food and wine, helped him to pass the practical portion of this most challenging exam.
When he isn't preparing for the next stage of the exam or racking the next vintage, Jeff can be found working out his pouring arm as Wine Director of the internationally acclaimed Cafe Juanita in Kirland, WA.