Nixon Cellar

Learn. Taste. Enjoy.

Experience Wine at Its Finest

WSET-certified and Court of Master Sommeliers trained, with extensive global tasting and consulting experience across classic and emerging wine regions.

The Art of Wine Excellence

Nixon Wine Cellar is a premium wine boutique and consulting service, offering curated wines from the world's finest regions alongside expert advisory services for restaurants, private collectors, and wine enthusiasts.

WSET Certified

Wine & Spirit Education Trust certified sommelier with comprehensive wine knowledge

CMS Trained

Court of Master Sommeliers trained in the art of wine service and expertise

Global Experience

Extensive tasting across classic and emerging wine regions worldwide

Classic Focus

Specializing in classic regions, classic grapes, and classic producers

Elevating Wine Experiences

From restaurant programs to private collections, we offer comprehensive wine consulting services tailored to your unique needs and aspirations.

Restaurant Wine Consulting

Wine program advisory for fine-dining restaurants, wine lounges, boutique hotels, and private clubs.

  • Staff wine training and service standards
  • Pricing and margin optimization
  • Supplier and distributor guidance
  • Cellar organization and inventory strategy
  • Seasonal and rotating wine programs

Wine Cellar Advisory

Discreet private cellar advisory guided by intention and long-term perspective.

  • Personalized cellar strategy and roadmap
  • Acquisition and vintage guidance
  • Drinking windows and aging plans
  • Portfolio balancing across regions and styles
  • Food-and-wine pairing guidance

Wine Education

Curated wine education experiences designed to be engaging, elegant, and accessible.

  • Corporate wine education sessions
  • Private in-home wine tastings
  • Client appreciation events
  • Guided tastings by region, vintage, and blind format
  • Food and wine pairing experiences

Transparent & Flexible

Our consulting services are structured to support both initial program development and ongoing refinement, with flexibility for focused advisory needs.

Foundational Wine Program Setup

$2,000

A comprehensive first-time engagement designed to establish or recalibrate a wine program with clarity and intention.

  • Strategic review and assessment
  • Program design and structure
  • Curated recommendations
  • Brand identity alignment
  • Guest experience optimization
  • Long-term performance planning

Hourly Wine Consulting

$200 per hour

Discreet, on-demand consulting for targeted advisory needs without a long-term commitment.

  • Focused guidance sessions
  • Tastings and evaluations
  • Strategic decisions support
  • Quick turnaround
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Specific project needs

Custom scopes are available upon request. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.

Nixon James

Nixon James - Certified Sommelier
WSET Certified Sommelier
Court of Master Sommeliers Trained
25+ Years Global Executive Experience
Passionate Wine Educator

What began as curiosity evolved into study, travel, and a deep respect for the people, places, and traditions behind every great bottle. Wine, to me, is not about status or labels; it is about connection—between land and craft, food and company, moments and memory. Above all, it is about people, the joy, conversation, and warmth that wine brings to our lives.

I am a WSET certified and Court of Master Sommeliers trained sommelier, shaped by years of tasting across the world's most respected and quietly remarkable wine regions. Walking vineyards, sharing tables with winemakers, and listening to their stories taught me that great wine is always human at its core—born from patience, humility, and care passed from one generation to the next.

Food and wine pairing sits at the heart of how I experience wine and life. Some of my most meaningful memories are not of rare bottles alone, but of how a wine comes alive when shared with others—family, friends, or new companions—around a thoughtfully prepared table.

"Learn. Taste. Enjoy!" — This is not just a philosophy of wine, but a way of living, rooted in gratitude, presence, and the belief that the best moments, like the best wines, are shaped slowly and shared generously.

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World-Class Wine Regions

Sourcing exceptional wines from classic regions, classic grapes, and classic producers across the globe. Our selection spans from storied Old World estates to exciting New World pioneers.

France

Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne

Italy

Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto

Spain

Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat

United States

Napa Valley, Sonoma, Oregon

Argentina

Mendoza, Salta, Patagonia

Australia

Barossa, Hunter Valley, Margaret River

Chile

Maipo, Colchagua, Casablanca

Germany

Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz

South Africa

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Swartland

Portugal

Douro, Alentejo, Dão

New Zealand

Marlborough, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay

Austria

Wachau, Kamptal, Burgenland

Romania

Dealu Mare, Murfatlar, Recaș

Hungary

Tokaj, Eger, Villány

Greece

Santorini, Nemea, Naoussa

Moldova

Codru, Valul lui Traian, Ștefan Vodă

Switzerland

Lavaux, Valais, Ticino

Turkey

Cappadocia, Thrace, Aegean

Serbia

Fruška Gora, Župa, Negotin

Croatia

Istria, Dalmatia, Slavonia

Slovenia

Goriška Brda, Vipava, Podravje

Lebanon

Bekaa Valley, Batroun, Mount Lebanon

Georgia

Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti

Armenia

Areni, Aragatsotn, Armavir

Common Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about our wine consulting services, events, and approach.

Nixon James is a WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certified sommelier and has completed training with the Court of Master Sommeliers. With over 25 years of global executive experience combined with extensive wine tasting across classic and emerging regions, Nixon brings both professional credentials and practical expertise to every consultation.

We begin with a comprehensive assessment of your current wine program, brand identity, and guest demographics. From there, we develop a tailored strategy that includes staff training, menu curation, pricing optimization, and supplier relationships. The foundational setup ensures your program is built on solid ground, while ongoing maintenance keeps it relevant and refined.

We offer a range of private wine experiences including in-home tastings, corporate education sessions, client appreciation events, and guided tastings by region or vintage. Each event is customized to your preferences, whether you're seeking an intimate dinner pairing experience or an educational journey through a specific wine region.

Our private cellar advisory is guided by your personal tastes, budget, and long-term goals. We create a personalized strategy that includes acquisition guidance, drinking windows, aging plans, and portfolio balancing across regions and styles. Every recommendation prioritizes enjoyment, longevity, and disciplined acquisition.

While we have deep expertise across all major wine regions—including France, Italy, Spain, USA, and Australia—we focus on classic regions, classic grapes, and classic producers. Our sourcing spans from established Old World estates to exciting New World pioneers, always emphasizing quality and authenticity.

Absolutely. Beyond our standard offerings, we welcome custom scopes tailored to your specific needs. Whether it's a unique event, specialized training program, or a complex cellar project, we're happy to discuss how we can best serve your wine journey. Contact us to explore possibilities.

Food and wine pairing sits at the heart of how we experience wine. We approach pairing intuitively, guided by balance, texture, and harmony—always in service of the shared moment rather than rigid rules. Our goal is to enhance both the wine and the dining experience, creating memorable moments around the table.

Start Your Wine Journey

Ready to elevate your wine experience? Reach out to discuss how we can help you explore, learn, and enjoy wine at its finest.

Let's Connect

Whether you're a restaurateur seeking to refine your wine program, a collector building your dream cellar, or simply someone who wants to learn more about wine, we'd love to hear from you.