Brooke Sabel has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Hospitality & Tourism Management. She also has certificates in Wine & Food Pairing from Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.
While working in New York City for one of the premier retail wine merchants, Morrell & Company, as a Wine Consultant, her engaging personality & down-to-earth approach to wine earned the respect of the elite New York oenophiles. She was recruited by Master of Wine, Christopher Cree at 56 Degree Wine in Bernardsville, NJ where she further developed her knowledge and passion. Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa sought out Brooke to join the company as Assistant Wine Director where she helped plan, organize, and execute events such as Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour and Borgata’s numerous elite food & wine events. While at Borgata, Brooke developed wine lists for such culinary masters as Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, and Michael Mina. Her talents and reputation garnered the eye of Sir Richard Branson and New Jersey developer Bob Wojtowicz to develop the wine program at Natirar and its award-winning restaurant Ninety Acres, where she held the position of Wine Director since their opening in 2009. Her focus on sustainable, organic, biodynamic, and small-production wines garnered high accolades amongst her peers and the press. In August 2017, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, a leading regional alcohol beverage and gourmet food retailer, recruited Brooke as Wine Director. Sabel oversees the wine buying team as head buyer and leads the wine education program for staff and customers alike.
Brooke has been featured on Martha Stewart Radio, Travel + Leisure Magazine, Forbes Magazine, CondeNast Traveler Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, Inside Jersey, New Jersey Weddings, The Knot, Park Place Magazine, Above Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Terroirist.com, SOMM Journal, Tasting Panel Magazine, James Beard Foundation, participated in Star Chefs Somm Slam, New Jersey Wine & Food Festival, and is one of the sommelier luminaries for Nantucket Wine & Food Festival.
Brooke holds titles of Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Sommelier Society of America. She also holds the title of Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators. A member of several trade organizations such as Sommelier Society of America and the Guild of Sommeliers, Ms. Sabel is also a tasting panelist for several industry publications.
Wine Critic James Suckling describes Brooke as “one to watch out for…her talents are even bigger than her passion, which is contagious—when you meet her, you will find out just how big those talents are.”
1. How did you get into the wine business?
I never knew I could make wine a career until I decided to take an introductory wine and spirits course in college. I had originally planned to go into the golf industry until my wine professor told me I had an amazing palate and I really should consider a career in the wine industry. That night, I went home and stayed up nearly all night researching the industry. The next day I went back to the professor during his office hours and said I was ready to make wine my career…..and then I called my parents.
2. What are the most frustrating and rewarding parts of your job?
The most rewarding thing has been traveling to all the great ends of the earth and meeting new people. It’s amazing how wine brings so many people together, and I’ve gained some of my closest friends from it.
The most frustrating thing was hearing sexist comments from guests early on in my career when they were surprised to see a young female, and I often got talked down to. Now after 21 years in the business, those comments are infrequent, as you see women in so many positions and facets in the industry. Also, cases of wine don’t move themselves.
3. What is your most memorable wine experience?
I’ve been blessed to travel to such places as Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Argentina, and so many more corners of this incredible earth, always learning something from every person I encountered along the way.
There are too many incredible, memorable, crazy stories to mention, but getting locked in a wine cellar with Sir Richard Branson and drinking old Bordeaux with Billy Crystal and Robin Williams are two of my favorites.
4. What is an upcoming trend you see in wine?
Because of Covid-19, online events or seminars have allowed us to bring an incredible experience to someone in the comfort and safety of their own home. I don’t see it going away anytime soon.
5. What is the best piece of advice someone has given to you?
No matter how successful you become, it’s important to stay humble.
6. What is one tip you have for someone just getting into wine?
Taste as much as you can, read as much as you can, spend as much time as you can looking at labels in a cellar. There will be long days, nights, and weekends, but when you love what you do, it will not feel like work. Also, Berocca will become your new best friend.
Brooke Sabel
Wine Director
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
"When you love what you do, it will not feel like work."
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