The Path
A Colorado kid who took the long way to the Master title.
Born and raised in Colorado, Brett discovered wine while working through the University of Colorado. After graduation he was accepted as a sommelier at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and continued his education in San Francisco as the sommelier for Aqua.
He returned to Colorado to open his own restaurant, Mateo, in Boulder. In the spring of 2007 he passed his Masters Examination and earned the distinction of Master Sommelier.
In 2010, Brett purchased Boulder Wine Merchant from fellow Master Sommeliers Wayne Belding and Sally Mohr, keeping the city's oldest wine retailer in Master Sommelier hands.
Why the Title Matters
"Master Sommelier" is not a marketing word.
The Master Sommelier diploma is the highest distinction in the profession. The exam tests theory, blind tasting, and service. Most candidates need years of preparation across multiple attempts.
As of today there are roughly 285 Master Sommeliers in the world, and 168 in the Americas since the Court was founded in 1969. Brett is among very few Master Sommeliers in the country who own and operate an independent retail wine shop.
Work with Brett
Cellar consulting, sourcing, and private tastings.
A small number of clients work directly with Brett on building cellars, sourcing rare bottles, designing private tastings, and curating gifting at scale.
The shop
Master Sommelier-owned and operated since 2010. North Boulder, 2690 Broadway. Open seven days. Wine Wednesday tasting every week, complimentary, 5–7 PM.
Why people send each other here
Boulder Wine Merchant is one of the city's most particular cellars. In 2010, Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman bought the shop from his Master Sommelier mentors Wayne Belding and Sally Mohr, keeping Boulder's oldest wine retailer in Master Sommelier hands.
Walk in any day, ask for help, and a person who has tasted the bottle will help you find it.
What you will find
Wine, spirits, beer, sake, provisions.
Wine
A real wine cellar. Depth in Burgundy, grower Champagne, Piedmont, and the regions Brett spends his year tasting in.
Spirits
A serious back wall. Small-distillery agave, Highland and Islay scotch, the more interesting amari, vermouths, and aperitivi.
Tastings
Wine Wednesdays. Complimentary tastings every week, 5–7 PM. Different region or theme each time.
Pairing
Pairing help that works. Tell us what is for dinner. We will hand you a bottle that fits.
From the floor
Visit, call, or email.
Walk in seven days a week. Or call 303·443·6761 and ask for Brett or whoever is on the floor.
The team
Brett is not the whole shop. Meet the team, one card per person.
Press
Press mentions, interviews and festival coverage now live on the Media page, together with the press-contact details that used to sit here.