Our favorite one of a kind wineman Paul Grieco worked for more than a decade at fine-dining restaurants including as the influential beverage director at Gramercy Tavern, before leaving to forge a more off-beat path, first as partner in a number of more casual East Village restaurants and wine bars, and currently at his quirky yet totally wine-serious Terroir Tribeca.
We'll be speaking with Paul about his journey in wine, love of Riesling, philosophy of building a wine list!
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Paul Grieco was practically born in a restaurant. His family owned and operated Toronto’s landmark restaurant La Scala, where he was thrust into the world of service and hospitality at a very young age.
But before Paul decided to pursue a career in the restaurant business, he took a two-month trip to Italy to study wine. Paul returned a veritable Italian wine expert and sure of his place in the restaurant world. He then spent the next six years working alongside his father and grandfather as the beverage manager.
In 1991, Paul went to New York City for three months and never left. His career in Manhattan began at Remi Restaurant where he was a dining room manager for two years. In 1994, he opened Judson Grill with his mentor Chris Cannon, to rave reviews. Then Paul took a position atGramercy Tavern in 1994, taking over the wine list and beverage program by 1997.
In 2003, Paul and Chef-partner Marco Canora opened Hearth in the East Village; Insieme followed in 2007. The duo’s first and second wine bars, Terroir, opened in 2008 and 2010.
Today, Paul runs Terroir Tribeca, which is as much an outpost for wine lovers to experience terroir-driven wines as they are platforms for Paul to preach the attributes of his carefully curated wine list.
Participants will receive the Zoom link in the confirmation email.
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Suggested wine (available from Morrell):
Willi Schaefer Riesling Kabinett, Graacher Himmelreich, 2018