Martin Sheehan-Stross
Advanced Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine
About Me
A Bay Area native, Martin Sheehan-Stross previously held the positions of lead sommelier at Michael Mina and beverage director at Wayfare Tavern.
In 2016 Martin was named the World’s Best Young Sommelier by the Chaine de Rotisseurs. The year prior, Martin won the Guild of Sommeliers TopNewSomm national competition. Also in 2015, Martin was named one of Wine and Spirits Magazine’s Best New Sommeliers in America.
Before starting SipSend, Martin co-founded Foot of the Bed Cellars, a local wine company focused on introducing consumers and corporate clients to emerging wineries around California.
Get to know Martin
What is your favorite wine region to visit?
Sonoma...maybe I need to get out more?
What is your favorite class to teach?
Any of the intro classes for sure
What's your most memorable wine experience?
Hot air ballooning over Champagne!
Why did you decide to become an instructor?
I feel very lucky to have learned from so many generous people. I'd like to do my part to pass just a little bit of it on.
What's your most memorable food and wine pairing?
D'Oliveiras Terrantez 1977 Madeira and veal sweetbreads at The Village Pub. Unforgettable.
What's the biggest challenge in your job?
I like to think I'm too blessed to be stressed?
What other passions beside wine do you have?
Golf, going to country concerts and stand-up comedy, being outside
Name some recent wine discoveries that you find exciting.
Koerner Pigato Austrlia...it looks like an orange wine, but has a surprising freshness
Martin's Favorite Classes
Intro to World Wines
World Wines - Workshop Description Join us in unravelling the mysteries of the EU labeling scheme...
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Intro to Food Pairing
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Can you create perfect pairings or are you paralyzed by the rules? Learn bas...
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Intro to Blind Wine Tasting
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Learn about the physiology of taste and how to evaluate acidity, tannin, res...
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Intro to French Wines
The Greatest Wines of France French wines serve as the foundation for most people trying to under...
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