The SommFoundation Story
SommFoundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was founded in 2003 by the extraordinary donation of private wine collection by Jeff and Kathy Johnston. Here is the story of how this gift came about and has led to over 20 years of education through scholarships, enrichment trips, and mentorships, as told by one of our founding members and Cellar Master Emeritus, Master Sommelier Jay Fletcher:
Many years ago, during my studies for the Master Sommelier exam, I met Jeff Johnston. He became one of my regular clients in restaurants that I managed in Aspen, Colorado, in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Jeff loved food and wine. The owner of an impressive cellar with some of the finest collectible wines in existence, he took a genuine interest in our wine studies and became involved with our tasting group. Jeff regularly hosted us at his home, graciously opening some of the oldest and rarest wines in the world to taste with us. We drank all the greats with him: Wines we opened often included Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche, Château Le Pin, Château Rayas, and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin.
All of us in the group were astounded by Jeff’s generosity, and he became a great friend and mentor to me.
As I continued to study for the Master Sommelier Exam, Jeff watched my life improve dramatically. For years, I worked hard on my wine knowledge—history, geography, terroir, and viticulture—as well as my social and speaking skills. Jeff was impressed with the bonding, friendship, and overall progress in quality of life for all the members of our tasting group. As he witnessed both me and Damon Ornowski transform from mid-level restaurant managers to Master Sommeliers, he saw the importance of education and how it’s capable of vastly improving people’s lives and career trajectories. Because old and rare wine is expensive, it’s incredibly difficult for aspiring sommeliers to taste or even touch one of these bottles. The great wines of the world have an incomparable purity of fruit and terroir, but in Jeff’s opinion, access to them should not solely be given to the wealthy. Jeff and his wife, Kathy, decided to donate a portion of their world-class wine cellar to be used specifically for educating and enhancing the experience of up-and coming sommeliers and wine advocates.
Over the years, we have given away more than $1 million in scholarships and sent hundreds of students to wine regions all over the world. The old and rare wines in our collection, meanwhile, have been tasted and enjoyed by thousands of students.
Since this fortuitous beginning over 20 years ago, SommFoundation has expanded scholarship, mentorship, and enrichment trip opportunities to sommeliers around the United States and internationally, increasing access and diversity to build a strong future for the beverage industry. Distributing over $100,000 in cash scholarships and sending over 120 individuals on educational trips annually, we are the most established and impactful wine education nonprofit in the United States.
With such a strong history and large network of wine professionals, SommFoundation is uniquely positioned to lift up each new generation, to collaborate with other beverage-focused nonprofits, and to make positive and lasting change in this industry and in the lives of each individual we support.
We welcome you on this journey with us as we continue to move forward, keeping our values aligned with those we assist and using our mission and vision for the future of the beverage industry pointed in the direction of increased transparency, opportunity, access, and diversity.
Please see the many ways you can support SommFoundation here.
