Other
Jonathan Eichholz
Master Sommelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Certified Cicerone work is, at its best, a matter of calibration: matching bitterness, acidity, carbonic lift, texture, and temperature so a pairing opens rather than flattens the plate. Jonathan Eichholz treats it that way. In his own formulation, “A great pairing does not simply add to or contrast the flavors present, but multiplies their qualities and uses two different things to create a new flavor sensation.” That principle runs through his work with wine, beer, and service, and it helps explain a path from Colby College to some of New York’s most exacting dining rooms.
The Path
At Colby College, Jonathan Eichholz built the base for a career in service that depends on recall, discipline, and close reading. From there, the work moved into rooms where detail is the job: sommelier at The Riggsby in Washington, D.C, then sommelier at Garrison in Washington, D.C. In New York, that same focus carried into Aquavit, where he served as sommelier from 2018, and then The Modern in New York City from 2019–2022, a stretch that placed him in one of the city’s more exacting dining programs. Today, Jonathan is sommelier of Massanois, educator of GuildSomm, and founder of pop-up No Ceilings of No Ceilings. The through-line is broader than bottle selection alone: pairing as a form of analysis, service as interpretation, and education as a way to give other professionals a clearer vocabulary for why certain combinations lock in while others miss.
The Work Today
At GuildSomm, he works as a sommelier while the Certified Cicerone credential widens the frame beyond wine. That combination points to a practice grounded in both beer and wine, and in the technical judgment needed to make a pairing hold at the table. Eichholz uses that training as a framework, not a script: a way to read flavor, texture, and pace in the moment.
In Their Words “Anybody can put a red wine with a steak, anyone can put Sauternes with foie gras, but what interests me is using the whole arsenal of the world of wine and the world of food.” “A great pairing does not simply add to or contrast the flavors present, but multiplies their qualities and uses two different things to create a new flavor sensation.”
Acclaim
Jonathan's honors include Best Young Sommelier USA (2019) and 2nd place, Best Young Sommelier in the World (2019).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Jonathan
What is Jonathan Eichholz's current role?
As of 2026, Jonathan Eichholz is Sommelier of Massanois.
Where did Jonathan Eichholz train or study?
Jonathan Eichholz trained at Colby College.
What recognition has Jonathan Eichholz received?
Best Young Sommelier USA (2019).
