Carlton McCoy is one of only three African-American master sommeliers in the United States, out of almost 300.
At the age of 28, Carlton was named a Master Sommelier, making him one of the youngest people and the second African American to do so.
His childhood was an odd springboard for his stratospheric climb in the wine market in southeast Washington, DC.
Carlton participated in a class sponsored by the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, or C-CAP, in high school to further his passion for the culinary arts.
McCoy sharpened his abilities at prestigious establishments such as Thomas Keller’s Per Se, Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit, Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak in New York, and Eric Ziebold’s CityZen at The Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC, after graduating in 2006.
Likewise, He became serious about wine at CityZen and studied for the Court of Master Sommeliers credentials.
Carlton joined the staff at The Little Nell in Aspen, CO, in 2011, after being inspired by the hotel’s award-winning wine program and reputation as a Master Sommelier training ground.
In 2013, he was promoted to Wine Director, in charge of a 150-person staff and The Little Nell’s acclaimed 20,000-bottle wine cellar.
As a Master Sommelier, Carlton is well-versed in exquisite wines from throughout the world, as well as the icons from closer to home.
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