Dlynn Proctor

DLynn has been a figure in the wine industry for 20 years. He comes to the San Francisco Wine School with extensive experience working with the best in the fine dining business, retail/web sales, fine and rare wine brokerage, and international education. DLynn, a passionate ambassador, is instrumental in winery education programs, media relations, and radio across the Americas and Europe. He often contributes to food and wine content and to TV shows and print magazines. In addition, he travels extensively to speak publicly about the world of beverage to collectors, consumers, journalists, and distributors in a variety of global forums. DLynn has been involved in widespread sensory testing, winemaking, and training with top winemakers in California, Washington, Texas, South Australia, and Italy and is an adjunct lecturer and wine show judge at some of the world’s most famous universities and wine shows.

Named ‘Best Sommelier in America’ by Wine and Spirits Magazine in 2008, DLynn was also a finalist in The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Société Mondiale du Vin ‘Best Sommelier in America Competition’ in 2008 and 2009, and was named to the National RUDD Scholars of 2011. DLynn has been featured in publications such as GQ Magazine, Decanter, Wine Spectator, Esquire, Forbes, WineSearcher, Huffington Post, The New York Times, and a multitude of others. He was bestowed the honour as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Magazine’s Top ’40 Under 40’ Tastemaker’s for 2014.

DLynn has been featured in the UPSCALE TV series, and is one of the four featured subjects in the internationally acclaimed wine documentary ‘SOMM’. A follow up film ‘SOMM: Into the Bottle’, was released in 2015, and the third installment SOMM 3, was released in 2018. The SommTV streaming service launched in Fall 2019, slating Somm 4: Cup of Salvation and ‘The Judgement of Paris’ to be released in summer of 2021.

DLynn has most recently appeared on screen with a cameo in the Netflix Original film ‘Uncorked,’ where he also earned the title of Associate Producer for his work behind the scenes.

DLynn is also the CoFounder of WineUnify, an organization that seeks to provide funding, mentorship, and inclusion for underrepresented minorities in the wine industry.


Get To Know Dlynn

Who is the most interesting guest you have served?

Mr. Shawn Corey Carter. Most know him as Jay Z. It was last year’s Super Bowl at MetLife, and we spent (a good portion of the game) discussing styles and tasting notes, while drinking Grange, Opus and Conterno.

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What's your most memorable wine experience?

I have been fortunate to have many memorable experiences, but acting as chef sommelier for the Thienponts (owners of Le Pin and VCC) may take the cake.

What's the biggest challenge in your job?

Getting consumers and buyers to realize Australia is not dead as a category. There are so many incredible wineries(big and small) that are steeped in terroir o foz, but also the ethos of the Old World.

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What other passions aside from wine do you have?

Classical Guitar, The NHL and film. All film. From B Horror/Zombie movies to Indie’s to Oscar worthy films.

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If you could teach anyone in the world, who would you want to teach?

Johnny Depp. I understand (and know first hand) he is a massive fan of Haut Brion. I’d like to spend a couple of hours with him doing an intensive regional tasting encompassing the world.