Empire Merchants: A Crash Course in the Beverage World
Jan 1
While I don’t have a long list of accolades from my time at Empire Merchants, I’m incredibly grateful for the crash course it gave me in both knowledge and experience. Though my specialty was wine, Empire gave me the chance to learn about everything in their portfolio—beers, sakes, spirits, and even mocktails.
My role was overseeing 250+ restaurants, liquor stores, and bars. Every day was different, from onsite visits and working with beverage directors to helping with staff training and event support. I learned to build relationships in many ways: making signage, assisting with events, and more. On top of that, we had regular supplier visits and tastings to keep us updated on new products and trends.
I can’t emphasize enough how valuable the 40-70 bottles of wine we got each month to sample at accounts was to my development. These tastings helped me hone my palate and expand my wine knowledge tremendously.
I’d like to give a special thanks to Eddie Drodge, Brian Mack, David Drucker, and my day one buddy Brittany, who made even the tough days brighter. You helped me grow, even when I wasn’t selling the most wine!
During my time at Empire, I had the opportunity to work with some of the finest wines in the world—Opus One, Far Niente, Moet, and more. I visited top production facilities in Vermont and California, and met with legendary producers. It was an experience that taught me so much about the global beverage industry.
Here are some of my favorite moments from my time at Empire:
Overture by Opus One at 4 Charles Prime Rib, NYC
One of the most exciting moments was placing Overture by Opus One at 4 Charles Prime Rib, a legendary NYC restaurant. This wine’s placement helped elevate their already exclusive dining experience, adding even more prestige to a truly coveted restaurant.
Belse Vegan Menu in NYC
I had the opportunity to contribute to Belse, a plant-based restaurant in NYC, by pairing wines with their innovative vegan menu. I recommended DeNada and Mijente tequilas and Brothers Bond bourbon for cocktails, helping make their plant-based dishes even more exciting.
Paragon Nightclub Launch
I was involved in the launch of Paragon Nightclub, from the renovations to the opening night. We featured DeNada Tequila in the club’s margaritas and drink specials during Latin Nights—an experience I’ll never forget!
Latin Nights: A DeNada Takeover
A proud highlight was having DeNada Tequila featured in all margaritas and drink specials across three Latin-themed events. It was a lively showcase that brought great energy and great exposure.
Ty’s NYC: A Personal Win
One of my proudest moments was placing three out of six wines by the glass at Ty’s, the oldest gay bar in NYC. It was a small win, but it felt monumental—especially given how welcoming the owners and staff were.
Empire Merchants gave me a well-rounded education in the world of beverages, and I’m grateful for every moment spent there. From tastings and supplier visits to making lasting industry connections, my time at Empire was invaluable to my journey. Cheers to the lessons and memories!
