André Hueston Mack

In 2003 André was honored as the Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs. This led to an opportunity to work as a sommelier at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned The French Laundry. He headed east to be Head Sommelier at Keller’s equally famed Per Se in NYC, where he managed an 1,800 bottle wine list. Winemaking has always been a dream of his and came to fruition when he set up shop as Mouton Noir Wines in 2004.

When did your love affair with wine begin?
About 12 years ago while working in a restaurant.

Favorite places to eat/drink/play?
Drinks: Booker & Dax (drinks made with a hot poker-need I say more) NYC
Eat: Pok Pok (no one in this country is doing food like this) PDX
Play: Willamette Valley (because there is no play without work) OR

What is one quirky thing no one knows about you?
My profound love for the "Tortilla".

If you were throwing a dinner party, who would you invite?
Malcolm Gladwell, Ol' Dirty Bastard and late Great Heri Jayer (and of course all of my friends).

Who do you adore as a style icon?
Nick Wooster.

What do you love most about your job?
The people. Always being on the road gives me the opportunity to meet extraordinary people and dine in some of the country's great restaurants.

Favorite city to visit?
Paris.

What is your current style obsession?
Eyewear.

Who is your palate icon?
Rajat Parr, truly one the best tasters on the planet.

Who is your favorite musician/band?
Music plays a big roll in my life. There is always music playing around me; it's the soundtrack to my life so I tend to have several bands in heavy rotation: The Weekend, Washed Out, Coltrane.

Who has influenced you most?
The work ethic of my parents.

Any closing words of wisdom?
Be yourself.