Whole Foods Wine Buyer Earns ‘Master Sommelier’ Status

One of Whole Foods Market’s wine buyers has earned the rank of Master Sommelier. Devon Broglie, specialty coordinator for the Southwest region, joins a group of just 180 worldwide who are recognized as having attained the highest level of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities and professionalism in the hospitality trade.

After five years in the restaurant industry and a year in Spain working for the winery Bodegas Costers del Siurana winery, Broglie joined Whole Foods Market in 2001 as a member of the Austin-based food retailer’s wine buying and specialty foods team. Broglie won Texas' Best Sommelier competition in 2006 by the Texas Sommelier Association (TEXSOM). An active member of the association, he also serves on the board for the annual TEXSOM wine conference.

“Earning the Master Sommelier rank is the most notable and celebrated accomplishment among wine professionals, requiring hours of study and dedication,” noted Whole Foods global wine co-buyer Doug Bell. "Devon's tremendous passion for wine extends to his position at Whole Foods Market where he helps select excellent wines to put on our shelves and shares his knowledge and enthusiasm about wine with customers.”

According to the Court of Master Sommeliers, Broglie is one of the few to achieve this rank to work for a national supermarket. He’s also now one of only six Master Sommeliers in the Lone Star State. Broglie’s journey to Master Sommelier began in 2002, when he took the introductory exam.

In his role at Whole Foods, Broglie is responsible for buying all specialty products, including wine, beer, cheese, chocolate and olives, for 22 stores in Whole Foods Market's Southwest region, which consists of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Whole Foods wine buyers source wines from vineyards and producers based locally and around the world. There are three levels of wine buyers: two national, regional, and in-store local. The grocer is the only national retailer to have a wine specialist in each store that carries wine, to offer customer service and education to shoppers, as well as tastings and recommendations. In 2007, Wine Enthusiast Magazine bestowed its "Best Wine Retailer of the Year" award on Whole Foods.