Owners Dave Stearns and Simon Roberts have taken their philosophy of providing the best wines in the world to an exclusive client base. Relationships are the backbone of our business and building and keeping them is just one of the many the attributes of our people.
Simon Roberts has been a successful wine consultant offering exceptional service to his clients for 15 years. An Englishman living abroad, Simon has followed his passion for people and wine and consults daily with the clients countrywide. Graileys provided the perfect fit for his vision and innovative ideas and has provided a location that suits all aspects of his business. As one of the best wine brokers in the business, Simon will do everything possible to keep your cellar in perfect balance. Simon can be contacted by email atsimon@graileys.com
Dave Stearns has always had a strong desire to be in the wine business. After running several successful companies, he brings a strategic approach to Graileys on both the sales and operational sides. Having spent the last several years acquiring wines for his own cellar, Dave and Simon have spent countless hours tasting and examining wines from all over the world. It was a natural progression to combine their talents and vision to recreate Graileys. Dave can be contacted via email atdave@graileys.com
Graileys is honored to have D’Lynn Proctor join our team as our Sommelier and Cellar Educator. As a member of the Guild of Sommeliers, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and Société Mondiale du Vin, D’Lynn has found Graileys to be the perfect environment for his special expertise. Hands on tastings and educational classes are what drive his knowledge, and he will keep the members in tune with everything going on in the world of wine. D’Lynn can be contacted via email atdlynn@graileys.com
D'Lynn’s previous experience include Beverage Manager for the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining GroupGeneral Manager at Wine'tastic! (Spectator Award of Excellence 2007 & 2008), and Assistant Wine Director and Floor Sommelier at The Draelion Restaurant & Lounge (Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 06).
After passing the rigorous series of exams administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers, D’Lynn received the Advanced Sommelier Diploma in 2008 on his first try -- only 3% of candidates have done so. D’Lynn came in 3rd place in Texas' 4th annual Best Sommelier in Texas 2008 competition, sponsored by the Texas Sommelier Association. D'Lynn also qualified as a finalist in The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Société Mondiale du Vin Best Young Sommelier in America Competition in 2008 and isa finalist again in 2009. Wine & Spirits Magazine in their October 2008 issue named D’Lynn Best New Sommelier in America 2008.
While well versed in many wines from around the world, D’Lynn’s interest in Italian wines led to the Italian Chamber of Commerce sponsoring him at the world¹s largest wine expo, Vin Italy, in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In addition to his dedicated wine studies and travels, the making of wine has sparked his interest, and he made his first wine in 2007. He is currently producing a second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon named One Heart in Texas, with fruit sourced from Yountville and Oakville vineyards in the Napa Valley, California.
AJ McClellan comes to Graileys with an extensive knowledge of the wine world. In 2008, AJ completed the course requirements for the Court of Master Sommeliers by passing the Introductory Level of the exam and 1 year later in 2009 he completed the exams requirements for the Certificate Level, now holding the wine professional title of Sommelier.
AJ continues his wine education as member of the esteemed Dallas Sommelier Group which boasts competition winners, wine judges, and Master Sommelier Candidates. He is also a competitor in the 5th Annual Best Sommelier in Texas Competition sponsored by the Texas Sommelier Association.
Some of AJ's previous jobs have included Asst Sommelier for N9NE Groups¹ Nove Italiano Fine Dining Restaurant and Asst Sommelier at Dallas¹ Historic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. AJ is now using his sommelier talents for Graileys Fine Wines & Wine Cellar, where he helps in all aspects including member tastings, dinners, and winemaker events.
aj@graileys.com
