Laura Maniec

The Climb

Training at Windows on the World gave Laura Maniec an early grounding in the pace and precision of high-level service. That setting demanded control, judgment, and consistency, and those lessons carried forward into the next phase of her work. In 2011, she founded Corkbuzz Wine Studio, extending that foundation into a format shaped by present-day wine culture. Over time, she has remained part of the conversation around wine by pairing technical knowledge with a clear point of view.

Today

Corkbuzz in New York City sits within Laura Maniec’s wider approach: polished, accessible, and built on the idea that wine is a tool for connection as much as consumption. Her own words are direct: “Wine is the way we connect. It makes the world smaller in many ways.” The line captures a practical philosophy of service, where a bottle functions as common ground and a prompt for conversation.

Signature

Champagne Campaign is one of Laura Maniec’s signature dishes. The name signals the role Champagne plays in her program: not as a side note, but as a central part of the experience. It fits a house where wine is integrated into the pacing and identity of service.

In Their Words “We pride ourselves on offering a complete soup-to-nuts experience, so we do highlight fortified wines.” The statement points to a full-service approach, where the list is considered across the whole meal and fortified wines are given a defined place within it. The offer places Champagne in two regular service windows, late night and brunch, and makes clear how it functions as part of the restaurant’s rhythm.

Recognition

Wine & Spirits Best New Sommelier of the Year (2003) marks an early point of recognition for Laura Maniec. It identifies a professional already working at a high level before Corkbuzz, with the award sitting as an anchor in the record of her career.