Affiliation : VineOne, a Division of Constellation Wines U.S.
Location : Winter Garden, FL, USA

 

Brian J. Koziol brings over fourteen years of leadership and experience to the hospitality and beverage industry. His interest in wine began in 1993 when he took a wine course at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It was the beginning of a career path that would lead him to becoming a Master Sommelier in the spring of 2007.

Brian began his career working for the Walt Disney World Company as a restaurant manager on the opening management team of the award-winning Flying Fish Café. He also led the theme park restaurants Le Cellier Steakhouse and The Hollywood Brown Derby. Brian was later a member of a leadership exchange program with Disneyland Paris, where he gained extensive knowledge of the wines of Europe. During his Walt Disney World career, Brian coordinated the opening beverage training program for the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship. His most formative role at Walt Disney World was as Area Manager of Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant, a AAA Five-Diamond Restaurant. As the restaurant’s sommelier, he elevated the wine program to a Wine Spectator Best of Awards Excellence achievement. In 2003, Wine & Spirits Magazine recognized his passion for wine by honoring him as one of the Top Five Best New Sommeliers in the country. Following his Walt Disney World career, Brian moved to Washington, D.C., where he was Director of Outlets for The Ritz-Carlton. In 2004, Brian joined Southern Wine & Spirits as Key Account Manager.

Today, Brian is Wine Specialist for the Southeast Sales Division for VineOne; a division of Constellation Wines U.S. Along with his sales responsibilities at VineOne, Brian conducts training seminars for the Court of Master Sommeliers and is a featured wine speaker at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Pinehurst Golf Resort Food & Wine Festival, Orlando Wine Quest charity events and South Beach Wine & Food Festival.