By Marisa Finetti
Las Vegas’ wine scene is thriving thanks to the vision and passion of its sommeliers. These individuals are more than wine experts – they are storytellers, educators and champions of connection using wine as a bridge to cultures, traditions and unforgettable experiences.
Meet some of the sommeliers who are making a difference in Las Vegas, each contributing to the city’s wine culture in their unique way driven by their passion for the beloved fermented grape juice.
Kelly Ford Lau
Kelly Ford Lau exemplifies the diversity and opportunities in the world of wine. A proud alum of UNLV’s Hotel College and named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Best New Sommeliers of 2010,” Lau has had an illustrious career with chef-driven venues, including Delmonico by Emeril Lagasse, Bardot Brasserie by Michael Mina and é by José Andrés.
Today, she channels her expertise into KellySOMM, a Las Vegas-based digital e-commerce wine retail and education company. Lau’s mission is to engage and educate. She teaches 300-level wine courses at UNLV, inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.
“I love engaging with people from diverse backgrounds,” she says. “It is my life’s purpose knowing I am meant to be a communicator, and I happened to choose wine.”
Kat Thomas
For Kat Thomas, lead sommelier at Ada’s Food + Wine in Tivoli Village, wine has been a transformative journey. “This intense, fabulous profession has brought me home to myself and shown me the strength in raw honesty,” she says.
Thomas’ passion for wine has not gone unnoticed. Last year, Ada’s Food + Wine was honored with The World of Fine Wine’s “Most Creative Wine List” award, a testament to her thoughtful curation and storytelling through wine.
“Our list reflects a balance of classics, discoveries, chances and fun,” says Thomas, “with a focus on sustainability, diverse grape varieties and small producers who care deeply about their craft. It’s not just a list; it’s a journey, and we’re proud to have it recognized for the heart and soul we pour into every selection.”
Hristian Iliev
A music lover with a passion for hard punk rock, Hristian Iliev’s appreciation for wine traces back to his childhood in Bulgaria, where he watched his grandfather craft wine with dedication and care. “I experienced the passion and commitment that went into every vintage and saw how important it was for the whole family,” Iliev recalls.
Now, as lead sommelier at Carbone at Aria, Iliev carries those values forward. Beyond a love for wine, Iliev believes that a great sommelier is “a traveler, an explorer, an artist and a hopeless romantic.”
He is passionate about expanding the palates of Las Vegas wine drinkers. “The majority of consumers stick to the same producers and styles. I’d like to be that advocate for a small, family-owned winery from the middle of nowhere,” he says.
Cristie Norman
At age 15, Cristie Norman started working at a teahouse with more than 100 tea selections. She noticed the similarities between tea and wine, but her desire to work at the only fancy steakhouse in her hometown pushed her to the wine side.
While she went on to become a sommelier at Spago Beverly Hills at 21, Norman understands how intimidating wine can be, often keeping aspiring somms from being able to break into the industry.
“Not to mention the problems this causes for the casual wine enthusiast who just wants to build their wine knowledge,” Norman says. “I try to make wine fun and approachable through my content on TikTok and Instagram and through my Online Wine Course for Beginners, which I like to describe as a ‘driver’s ed course’ but for wine.”
Will Costello
For Will Costello, being a sommelier is driven by a passion for learning. “In this industry, no matter how much you know, there’s always more to discover,” Costello says. A career highlight was tasting the rare Domaine Leflaive Montrachet, a $6,000 bottle that taught him a valuable lesson: “Wine is just wine – it’s all grape juice.”
This perspective shapes his belief that a great sommelier can always find the perfect alternative, as the world of wine offers endless opportunities for discovery. As the Las Vegas Ambassador for Star Wine List, a guide to great wine bars and wine-focused restaurants, Costello hopes that Star Wine List will give those visiting an opportunity to experience wines located off the beaten path.
Wineaux in UnCommons, Garagiste Wine Room + Merchant in Downtown Las Vegas, Ferraro’s east of the Las Vegas Strip, Harlow in Downtown Summerlin and Monzu on Flamingo are among the wine spots on Costello’s curated list.
