Mandi Nelson

Area Sales Manager, TX LA OK NM

I began my journey into the world of wine and cuisine when I was 16, working for various restaurants and country club in Dallas. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas, I moved to Austin and held various Wine Manager positions from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse to General Manager of TRIO at the Four Seasons. After Four Seasons, I joined the fine wine team at Republic National Distribution. After eight years at Republic National, I jumped at the opportunity to be the Beverage Director at New Waterloo (Le Politique, Il Brutto, La Matta, Sway, Otoko, Central Standard, La Condesa, Hotel Ella, Manaña, and South Congress Hotel. In 2018 I took the Southern Regional Sales Manager position with European Cellars to be closer connected to wineries.

In 2018, I also co-founded ATX Somms, a non-profit to help provide wine education to the local community. This organization provides two free educational events each month in addition to helping prepare students to take upcoming exams.

In 2020…. PANDEMIC! COVID! I then founded Austin Shift Meal, a non-profit to feed the unemployed furloughed service industry that has been hit the hardest.

I hold several wine specialty certifications including Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Advanced/Level 3 Awards with Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and Champagne and Port location specialist from the Center from Wine Origins.