In this episode, we travel to Macau to meet Winnie Chen, Assistant Director of Wine & Beverage at SJM Resorts and one of the professionals behind one of the largest wine collections in Asia. I sit down with Winnie inside the Karl Lagerfeld Hotel to explore her remarkable journey, from discovering wine during a training session in Abu Dhabi to managing more than 17,000 wine labels across nearly 70 restaurants.
Together, we dive into the realities of building a sommelier career, the discipline required to study for the Master Sommelier exam, and what it’s like to work in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, from the Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the Grand Lisboa Palace in Macau.
We also discuss the evolution of the Macau wine market, the rise of Chinese wines, how massive wine programs are curated, and Winnie’s advice for young sommeliers dreaming of entering the industry.
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A summary of the interview with Winnie Chen
Discovering wine through curiosity
Winnie’s journey into the wine industry began almost by accident. Born and raised in China, she grew up in a traditional family where alcohol was rarely consumed before adulthood. At 21, while studying hospitality management, she attended a training session about wines from the Loire Valley organized by the head sommelier at the restaurant where she was doing her management training.
At first, the tasting itself didn’t leave a strong impression. What fascinated her instead was the culture behind wine: the diversity of regions, the influence of geography, and the stories connected to each bottle. The Loire Valley, stretching over 1,000 kilometers and divided into multiple distinct wine regions, sparked her curiosity and opened the door to a completely new world.
Encouraged by her mentor, Winnie began formal wine studies. She completed her first WSET Level 1 in 2012 and continued progressing through the program with determination, eventually earning the WSET Diploma in 2018.
Building an international career in Hospitality
Winnie’s professional career began in the Middle East. Shortly after graduating in 2010, she joined a management training program at a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant located in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Working abroad at a young age was a significant step, especially for someone coming from a close-knit Chinese family. Yet with the support of her parents, she embraced the opportunity to explore the world.
After four years in Abu Dhabi, Winnie moved to Dubai and joined the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. There, she worked alongside a team of 14 sommeliers managing an extensive cellar of around 1,200 wine labels.
The environment was intense but incredibly enriching. Long split shifts meant that the team often spent their break hours studying together, organizing tastings, and attending masterclasses from visiting winemakers. This combination of work and study accelerated Winnie’s professional development and deepened her knowledge of wine.
A leadership role in Macau’s Luxury Hospitality scene
After the pandemic began, Winnie Chen returned to China and joined the SJM Group in Macau in 2021. She initially worked as a resort head sommelier and quickly progressed to her current position as Assistant Director of Wine and Beverage.
Today, she oversees wine and beverage operations across several luxury properties within the group, including the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort. Altogether, the group manages around 70 restaurants and bars.
One of the most impressive aspects of the operation is the wine program: the group maintains approximately 17,000 different wine labels, making it one of the largest wine collections in Asia.
Managing such a vast selection requires teamwork. Winnie works with a dedicated sommelier team that monitors guest preferences, coordinates wine lists for each restaurant concept, and organizes events such as wine dinners and tastings.
Curating wine for diverse restaurants and guests
Each restaurant within the resort has its own identity and wine list. For example:
- Portuguese restaurants focus heavily on Portuguese wines.
- Italian venues emphasize Italian selections.
- Cantonese restaurants often feature strong French wine pairings.
Rather than relying solely on large wine brands, Winnie and her team also seek out boutique producers and niche labels. The goal is to balance well-known names with unique discoveries that appeal to wine enthusiasts visiting Macau.
The resort also strives to maintain relatively reasonable wine pricing, allowing guests to enjoy high-quality bottles without extreme markups. A philosophy inspired by the group’s founder, who wanted guests to feel as comfortable enjoying wine as they would at home.
Macau’s unique wine market
Compared to places like Dubai, the wine market in Macau has a different customer profile. While Dubai attracts a highly international audience, Macau’s visitors are primarily Chinese, with additional guests from Hong Kong and other Asian countries.
Although Macau is famous for its casino industry, food and beverage experiences are becoming increasingly important. Luxury resorts are investing heavily in gastronomy, wine programs, and international culinary events to attract a broader audience.
The rise of Chinese wine
As a Chinese professional in the global wine world, Winnie Chen is particularly interested in the evolution of Chinese wine.
She has observed significant improvements over the past decade. Earlier Chinese wines often tried to imitate established regions such as Bordeaux or Burgundy. Today, many producers are developing distinctive styles that reflect their local terroir.
For Winnie, this shift toward identity and authenticity marks an exciting new chapter for China’s wine industry.
Pursuing the Master Sommelier title
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Winnie is currently pursuing one of the most demanding certifications in the wine world: the Master Sommelier title.
She attempted the exam for the first time in London and describes the preparation as extremely challenging. The exam requires mastering vast amounts of information: from wine laws and regions to grape varieties and tasting analysis.
To keep up with the workload, she starts studying early in the morning before work and uses any spare moments during the day to review materials.
For Winnie Chen, the Master Sommelier title is not only about prestige. It represents discipline, commitment, and a responsibility to support the next generation of sommeliers.
Advice for young Sommeliers
For students entering the wine industry, Winnie Chen offers one key piece of advice: be patient.
The sommelier profession requires years of study, dedication, and persistence before the rewards appear. Early salaries may not be high, and the volume of knowledge can feel overwhelming. However, those who stay committed and continue learning will eventually build a fulfilling career.
A passion that continues to grow
More than a decade into her career, Winnie still feels the same curiosity that first drew her to wine. From tasting sessions to large-scale cellar management, from international hospitality to academic study, her path reflects the evolving global nature of the wine world.
And with ambitions like the Master Sommelier exam still ahead, her journey is far from finished.
Winnie Chen’s recommendations
- Understanding Wine Technology: The Science of Wine Explained, by David Bird
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