Other
Desmond Echavarrie
Master Sommelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
As CEO & Owner of Scale Wine Group in St. Helena, California, Desmond Echavarrie works in the trade lane between boutique wine producers and a curated national portfolio. The route into that work runs from Arizona and The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, through restaurant wine service, wine advising, sales, and ownership.
Coming Up
Fine-wine service builds by repetition: floor work, list command, producer knowledge, and the ability to translate a cellar into a sale. Desmond Echavarrie trained at Northern Arizona University before serving as sommelier at The Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, then sommelier at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, and later sommelier at The French Laundry in Yountville, California. The commercial side followed through Senior Wine Advisor work at Soutirage and director of sales work at Realm Cellars. Ownership now carries that service-and-sales background into producer representation. Today, Desmond is founder, ceo & owner of Scale Wine Group (since 2016) and owner of Band of Vintners.
Where They Are Now
National representation for small wine producers depends on selection, buyer trust, and disciplined portfolio management. In 2016, Echavarrie founded Scale Wine Group in St. Helena, California, and serves as Founder, CEO & Owner. The company represents and sells a portfolio of small, dynamic boutique wine producers on a national scale, with a curated focus that includes boutique wines and rare, family-owned Napa Valley estates. The work joins restaurant-floor literacy with producer-side distribution needs. His current role draws on both hospitality and sales while supporting small producers in reaching buyers across the country. Wine, producers, and place also define the ownership work at Band of Vintners.
Signature
The named signatures attached to Desmond's work include Band of Vintners and 2021 Band of Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon.
Honors
Professional recognition includes Master Sommelier (2012).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Desmond
What is Desmond Echavarrie's current role?
As of 2026, Desmond Echavarrie is CEO & Owner.
Where did Desmond Echavarrie train or study?
Desmond Echavarrie trained at Northern Arizona University.
What recognition has Desmond Echavarrie received?
Master Sommelier (2012).
