Emilie Garvey can succinctly identify the moment her life changed forever: she was 15 and it was Christmas family dinner. That evening, a sip of Sauternes and bite of foie gras tipped her headlong into a life of food and drink, and ultimately led her to become one of the most dynamic female sommeliers in the country and Wine Director of the celebrated restaurant, SHO Shaun Hergatt, located in The Setai in New York City’s Financial District.

A native of Roanne, France — a small city located between Burgundy and Lyon and widely known for gastronomy — Garvey was raised by wine-loving parents who over the years have cultivated a 300-bottle collection in their cellar. Despite growing up surrounded by wine, Garvey began her professional life working with cheese at famed Fromagerie Mons.

In 2003, she immigrated to New York City and worked in sales for Murray’s Cheese Shop in the West Village. Following a brief stint at Fauchon doing pastry sales, Garvey decided to try her hand in restaurants and signed on as a hostess at Asiate in the Mandarin Hotel. Shortly after her arrival the restaurant was in need of an Assistant Wine Director, and she stepped up to fill the position and thus discovered her calling.

Garvey earned her Sommelier certification via the American Sommelier Association in 2006, and in June of that year she served as the Assistant Wine Director/Sommelier at The Modern under the tutelage of Stephane Colling. She spent the following year working in the same capacity at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.

In December of 2008, she earned her first Wine Director position when she joined the opening staff of SHO Shaun Hergatt. During her tenure she’s developed a 550-bottle international wine list focusing on boutique, family-owned and biodynamic vineyards across the world.