Sommelier
Eric Zwiebel
- Discipline
- Sommelier
i. Biography
As director of wine at Bonheur by Matt Abe, Eric Zwiebel’s work sits at the point where service, cellar management, and beverage strategy meet. Born in Alsace, he comes from a place he has described as shaped by both France and Germany, a background that maps well to a career built around precision and a strong sense of place. That foundation carries through to his Master Sommelier qualification in 2001, a marker of formal rigour rather than ornament.
The Climb
Before senior beverage leadership, the work was on the floor, where technical control and clear communication matter in equal measure. Eric Zwiebel worked as sommelier at Restaurants in Paris, France, while also serving as a Master Sommelier candidate / student at the Court of Master Sommeliers at Court of Master Sommeliers in England (1997–2001). The pairing of service and study points to a career built through repetition, assessment, and constant refinement. That trajectory continued into larger-scale responsibility. He is now Executive Head Sommelier of Summer Lodge Hotel (since 2004) and director of wine of Bonheur by Matt Abe, roles that place him across both guest-facing service and the wider structure of beverage planning. The path is straightforward: floor experience first, then broader command of the list, the cellar, and the pace of service.
Today
At Bonheur by Matt Abe, Eric Zwiebel oversees all beverages. When asked about the scope of the role, he said, "I’m in charge of all beverages." The line is plain, but it accurately describes a job that requires control across wine and spirits, with attention to selection, timing, and execution. His focus is Wines & Spirits, which reflects the breadth of a career spent moving between detail and responsibility.
Career - Executive Head Sommelier — Summer Lodge Hotel, Dorset, England (2004–present) - Director of Wine — Bonheur by Matt Abe - Sommelier — Restaurants in Paris, France - Master Sommelier candidate / student at the Court of Master Sommeliers — Court of Master Sommeliers, England (1997–2001)
Signature
Eric Zwiebel is a sommelier focused on Wines & Spirits.
In Their Words “I’m in charge of all beverages.”
Recognition
Eric's honors include Master Sommelier qualification, Cateys Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award (2021), 4th place, Best Sommelier of the World, Finalist, Best Sommelier of the World, 3rd place, Best Sommelier of Europe, and Best Sommelier of the UK (2004). These awards show a career measured by competition, peer recognition, and consistency over time, with each result reflecting the same underlying standard: disciplined service and command of beverage programs at a high level.
FAQ What is Eric Zwiebel's current role? As of 2026, Eric Zwiebel is Director of Wine. Where did Eric Zwiebel work before? Eric Zwiebel's earlier career included Restaurants in Paris and Court of Master Sommeliers. What recognition has Eric Zwiebel received? Master Sommelier qualification (2001).
