Affiliation : The Breakers
Location : Palm Beach, FL, USA

 

Virginia Philip graduated Magna Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island in 1989 with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Her keen interest in wine began in her late teens and led her to take a wine course in college and work a summer in a vineyard in up-state New York. Virginia has traveled extensively throughout the world to visit some of the most famous vineyards and wineries in the world. In November of 2002, Virginia became the ninth woman in the world to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers Diploma exam in London. Three weeks later, she competed, and won against 30 men and one other woman for the title of Best Sommelier of the United States 2002-2004 in New York City.

Virginia has worked at some of the most prestigious properties and restaurants in the United States including the Little Nell in Aspen and currently, The Breakers. The Breakers is a historic, 144 acre, luxury property located on the ocean in Palm Beach, Florida. As Chef Sommelier for the property since November of 2000, Virginia writes and oversees a total of 13 wine lists for the property including the Grand Award winning list for L'Escalier with over 1400 selections. The Breakers has held the Grand Award since its inception in 1981.

BREAKERS (273-2537) in the U.S. and Canada, or (561) 655-6611, via GDS, or make online reservations at www.thebreakers.com with input of IATA/IATAN.

Founded in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Breakers Palm Beach is one of America's legendary resort destinations. The 560-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. Since 1990, The Breakers has invested $225 million in the ongoing revitalization and expansion of the resort; its timeless atmosphere renewed in a style of residential elegance and energized with a youthful, family-minded philosophy. With the commitment of its original ownership, capital expenditures averaging $15 million a year will continue to be reinvested in the property for the long term, to ensure it remains appealing to future generations.

The resort features 36 holes of championship golf, including the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones Course; 10 tennis courts, a 20,000 square foot luxury spa, a Mediterranean-style beach club overlooking one-half mile of private beach, a Family Entertainment Center, an extensive program of family and children?s activities, and a variety of water sports. The Breakers also features a broad selection of distinctive restaurants, as well as an array of on-site boutiques -- all wholly owned and managed by the resort. The Breakers is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond property.