United Sommeliers Foundation Forms in Response to COVID-19

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​Sommeliers, the strategic, highly trained wine experts employed by restaurants, wineries, hotels, casinos, resorts, cruise ships, country clubs, and many other segments of the hospitality industry, have been abandoned in the economic wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Nationally establishments that so readily rely on the detailed breadth of knowledge a Sommelier offers their clientele released the specialized staff without furlough or support. 

As a direct response to this economic crisis, the United Sommeliers Foundation (USF) formed as a resource to support Sommeliers. 

“I received a phone call from a Sommelier who was laid off without financial support. He is a single father supporting two young children. He was terrified about having money for groceries, moreover rent, and had nowhere to turn,” shares USF co-founder and Treasurer Chris Blanchard, Master Sommelier.

“Sommeliers do not work on salary. They work hourly and for tips - often live paycheck to paycheck without benefits such as unemployment or health insurance,” says USF co-founder and President Cristie Norman. “A Sommelier is not an elitist, glamorous job. In a restaurant crisis, this position is typically the first to be released and last to be hired back.”

USF marks the first industry group formed expressly to support Sommeliers, with the goal of providing financial aid and information resources to those most in need. Initiated by Cristie Norman and Master Sommelier Chris Blanchard with the launch of a public GoFundMe® campaign, the USF has now integrated fundraising directly into its website www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org and has applied for 501(c)3 status.

Under the stewardship of its newly appointed board of directors, the USF has issued applications for support funds. At the time of this release, over 500 applications have been received, with an initial benchmark of $20,000 in fundraising surpassed. 

USF Board is composed of three Master Sommeliers - Chris Blanchard (USF Treasurer), Lindsey Geddes (USF Secretary) and Jackson Rohrbaugh, a Master of Wine; Geoff Labitzke and five other industry experts - Cristie Norman (USF President), Erik Segelbaum (USF Vice President), Eric Crane, Jon McDaniel, and Yannick Benjamin, representing well over one hundred (100) combined years of experience in the wine industry.

Key to fundraising, the USF has launched a rolling auction through Acker-Merrall and urges both private and corporate benefactors to donate. A detailed release regarding the sale will follow. For information including contribution and purchase opportunities, visit https://www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org/auction.

Additionally, wine enthusiasts and Sommelier supporters are encouraged to financially donate via the USF website: https://www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org.

Visit https://www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org for more information on the United Sommeliers Foundation (USF).

About The United Sommeliers Foundation: The United Sommeliers Foundation is a 501(c)3 pending organization whose mission is to provide immediate financial assistance to Sommeliers experiencing a pause or termination of employment due to circumstances beyond their control. 

Source: United Sommeliers Foundation