Master Sommelier Frederick L. Dame, one of the most renowned and revered sommeliers in the world,  is the Global Wine Ambassador for DAOU Family Estates. In his role, he joins founders Georges Daou and Daniel Daou as they transform the Adelaida District of Paso Robles into the global wine industry’s next frontier for producing the finest Bordeaux varieties while enhancing awareness of DAOU’s spectrum of exceptional wines.

Dame is the founder of the American Branch of the Court of Master Sommeliers and the former Vice President of Prestige Accounts for American Wine & Spirits of California. A graduate of Washington & Lee University, he is widely recognized as an educator and storyteller and holds honorary professorships at Purdue University and The University of South Carolina. Additionally, Dame is an inductee of the American Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame, is an active member of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and is Chairman of the Board of GuildSomm.com.

A sixth-generation Californian, Dame’s interest in fine wine was ignited during a high school trip to Europe. He has been pursuing his passion ever since. One of only 250 individuals worldwide to have passed the Master Sommelier Examination, he won the coveted Krug Cup of the British Guild of Sommeliers in 1984