MICHAEL NELSON
Gotham Bar and Grill 

As Wine and Beverage Director of Gotham Bar and Grill, Michael Nelson curates the Gotham’s 800-bottle-plus wine list and 20,000-bottle collection. His warm persona and humble approach not only erase any pretensions from wine but also inspire guests to experiment, learn and discover the best wine for their palate. “I am only successful if I listen to what each guest is looking for and if we come to understand the wine together,” he says.

A lifelong painter, Nelson worked in a wine bar in upstate New York to support his art. After five years, he was smitten with the art of wine and desired to learn more. Nelson satisfied this curiosity with a trip to Europe, touring Rioja and Priorat in Spain and Côtes du Rhône and Provence in France. Upon returning to New York, he worked as a captain at Gotham Bar and Grill. Nelson’s wine expertise was quickly noticed and he became Gotham’s Assistant Sommelier. After holding this position for five years, he moved to Café Boulud to work as the Beverage and Wine Director and then re-united with the Gotham team in May 2007 as the Wine Director. 

“Chef Portale’s menu is ideal for wine pairings because it is sophisticated, playful and grounded all at once; this truly lets wine shine and move.”  Nelson believes that every dish on the menu should have a wine by the glass that perfectly matches it. Nelson is drawn to wines with elegance and restraint that express themselves in an identifiable manner. He is currently most excited about introducing Gotham’s guests to American vineyards producing balanced, graceful wines.