Bryce Wiatrak is America's youngest and Chicago's only Master of Wine. He has worked in the wine industry his entire adult career, beginning with a whim college internship that led him to a summer at a wine publication in California. He has since been published in nearly every major American wine outlet, as well as several prominent general interest publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, the San Francisco Chronicle, Wine & Spirits, Somm Journal, and AFAR, among others.
Bryce worked as a Junior Editor at Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, among the foremost wine criticism bodies, after winning their Young Wine Writer Fellowship. He later moved to the leading wine education publication GuildSomm, where he served as their Staff Writer. Bryce continues to write for GuildSomm as their Senior Contributor. In 2021, he co-founded Vinalia, a venture-backed wine import startup, focused on premium wineries in lesser-known regions spanning fifteen countries and four continents.
In 2026, Bryce earned the Master of Wine title – widely considered the most rigorous and highest credential for the global wine trade – after completing all portions of the famously difficult exam on first attempt. He is also a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. An experienced speaker and wine educator, Bryce has been invited to present at wine conferences domestically and internationally and his masterclasses across key markets regularly sell out. He also teaches WSET courses for Fine Vintage in Chicago and across the United States.
Bryce holds his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He also earned his Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he trained as an operatic baritone.
Bryce's Career Timeline
2019-01-01
2013
Bryce takes his first job in the wine industry—a summer internship at a startup wine publication in the Bay Area the summer before his senior year at Yale.
2020-01-01
2014
At 23, Bryce passes the Certified Sommelier exam from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
2021-01-01
2015
Bryce wines the second inaugural Young Wine Writer Fellowship offered by Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, where he would later serve as a Junior Editor.
2021-01-01
2018
After five years writing for nearly every major American wine publication, Bryce joins GuildSomm, the leading academic wine publication, as their Staff Writer,
2021-01-01
2021
Bryce co-founds Vinalia, a wine import startup and subscription club focusing on the wine world’s greatest hidden gem regions and undiscovered grape varieties.
2021-01-01
2024
On his first attempt, Bryce passes the closed book portions of the famously rigorous Master of Wine exam.
2019-01-01
2025
Bryce signs with University of California Press to write Dessert Wine: An Encyclopedic Guide to Sweet and Fortified wine, the most comprehensive volume ever authored on the subject.
2019-01-01
2026
Bryce becomes America's youngest and Chicago's only Master of Wine, the highest credential for the global wine trade.