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Damon Ornowski
Master Sommelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Damon Ornowski’s work sits in the discipline of the Master Sommelier title: palate calibration, recall, service judgment, and the ability to read a table without overplaying the frame. At Southern Wine and Spirits, that training is applied to Italian food and wine experiences, where regional detail and pairing logic matter as much as bottle knowledge. The result is a profile built on control, repetition, and a close read of what wine can do in service.
The Climb
Damon Ornowski began early in their career as Master Sommelier at Court of Master Sommeliers from 1996, setting a polished standard for the path ahead. The role signaled a working command of tasting and service at a point when consistency mattered more than posture. From there, the trajectory points toward a broader command of the trade, one in which expertise is not merely accumulated but sharpened over time. That long arc leads to Southern Wine and Spirits, where Damon has worked as wine specialist since 2016. In that role, his focus on Italian food and wine experiences gives the work a defined lane. Italian wine asks for attention to region, structure, and the way a bottle meets a plate, and this is where the specialty lives: in the space between technical fluency and practical hospitality.
Today
Today, Damon works at Southern Wine and Spirits, continuing to shape Italian food and wine experiences with the same steady expertise that has marked his career from the beginning. The Master Sommelier title functions here as working capital: a credential that supports the daily task of matching wine to food with precision. The specialty is clear, narrow in the useful sense, and grounded in the expectations of the trade.
Recognition
In 2016, he was a Master Sommelier at Southern Wine and Spirits. The recognition reflects the standards behind the role: long training, exacting assessment, and the kind of consistency the trade recognizes immediately.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Damon
What is Damon Ornowski's current role?
As of 2026, Damon Ornowski is Master Sommelier.
Where did Damon Ornowski work before?
Damon Ornowski's earlier career included Court of Master Sommeliers.
What is Damon Ornowski known for?
Italian food and wine experiences.
