Carlos Simoes Santos MS
Master Sommelier
Carlos Simoes Santos holds the prestigious title of Master Sommelier, a title shared by fewer than 300 individuals as of 2023. Carlos imparts his wine knowledge with passion and more than 23 years of industry knowledge. His fascination and influence began with his family vineyard in Portugal, which developed into a life-long journey exploring the world of hospitality. He is also the founder of My Sommeliers Wine Club, an online wine subscription service providing Australians with great wines and easily accessible wine education.
After completing his studies, Carlos traveled to London where he worked at the 3 Michelin star restaurant Gordon Ramsey before landing a career-defining opportunity opening Dinner by Heston Blumenthal with two stars. Carlos's expertise has seen him work in other Michelin star restaurants including Cellar de Can Rocca in Girona and The Fat Duck in Bray.
Carlos has received numerous awards and certifications including the 'International ASI Sommelier Diploma' with Gold, a Certification only achieved by 45 people worldwide at the time of writing. In 2019, Carlos passed his 'Master Sommelier Diploma' exam, a title currently held by only 262 people in the world. The Master Sommelier Diploma is known to be one of the most difficult certifications to obtain in the world of wine. To obtain this qualification, candidates must pass an almost impossible blind tasting, show a deep understanding of wine regions in the world, and have outstanding abilities in service of beverages and management.
Carlos is passionate about food and wine service and the opportunity to experience amazing wine pairings and challenge new tastes every day. You can currently find Carlos in Melbourne, Australia where he is working as Wine Director for Vue Group.
