Jay “Fletch” Fletcher

Master Sommelier

Photo of Jay Fletcher

Jay Fletcher, Master Sommelier, is the Beverage Director at Matsuhisa Aspen.

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Jay Fletcher hitchhiked to Aspen in 1978 with only a backpack and $75. By the early eighties, Jay had become an integral part of the Aspen restaurant community working all positions including dishwasher, busser, waiter, bartender maître‑d, and general manager. Jay worked at the dog-sledding restaurant Krabloonik from 1983-1997. In 1996, Jay passed the Court of Master Sommeliers – Master Diploma Exam to become the 30th American to hold the title of Master Sommelier. From 2002-2021 he served as the Executive Director of Fine Wine for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Colorado.

Jay is one of the founding members of SommFoundation as well as the Cellar Master for their extensive wine collection. He is an accredited Bordeaux Educator from the L’Ecole du Vin in Bordeaux, as well as being a Commandeur d’Honneur from the Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, et Barsac. Jay is Chairman Emeritus for the board of directors of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas and currently serves as a Master Sommelier Level examiner for the organization. He is a regular guest speaker and educator at many wine events around the country.

He lives in Aspen, Colorado with his wife, Lynn, and their dog Buckwheat.

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