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Hector Vergara celebrates 25 years as Master Sommelier
Chile—all of Latin America, in fact—has just one Master Sommelier, and that man is Héctor Vergara, who recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the day he became the 43rd person in the world to hold that prestigious title. Today there are just 150 worldwide. He marked the occasion with a couple hundred family, friends, and colleagues—all great admirers—in El Mundo del Vino, Chile’s top wine shop, which he co-founded eight years ago. |
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Vergara was clearly moved when he accepted a commemorative plaque. And in his characteristic style, he opened with, “I confess that I’ve been drinking,” which not only displayed his tremendous sense of humor and brought rounds of laughter and applause, but was also very apropos. “I’ve had the good fortune to drink the finest wines and spirits from around the world. I have also always had a dream that that one day Chile would be among them.”
Not one for idle dreaming, Vergara turned ideas into actions when he returned to Chile in 1991 after many years in England, France, and Canada. He has played a key role in the development of the national wine industry both abroad and on the home front as an respected sommelier, successful businessman, gifted wine taster, generous teacher, and author of the book “The Perfect Wine.” Quick to share his extensive knowledge with all who show an interest, he is the ideal ambassador for Chilean wine, and those who have had the honor of learning from him affectionately call him “Maestro.”
He is a founding member and standing President of the Chilean Association of Sommeliers and teaches in the organization’s School for Sommeliers, which recently celebrated its 4th promotion of graduates who have earned the title of Professional Sommelier, making a total of 33 following in his footsteps, with a large number of aspiring candidates enrolled for the future.
“These past 25 years have been a wonderful journey, but I’d say I still have many more years to go… Have you ever seen me dance?” A line that meets with guffaws from those who have seen him dance—he and Wines of Chile's own Michael Cox must surely share the title of the wine world’s dancing wonders.
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