“Caterina is driven to maintain a fun and creative wine list that caters to every guests taste and budget. She works closely with me at finding the perfect pairing of wine and food and she elevates the dining experience by offering first class wine service and selection,” said Greg Van Riet, Director of Food and Beverage.
Bringing over ten years of experience of wine program development for some of the world's most celebrated restaurants, Café du Parc proudly welcomes Ms. Caterina Abbruzzetti to their team as Sommelier. Culling wines from around the world with a focus on small producers, quality and value.
Prior to joining the Willard, Ms. Abbruzzetti served as Assistant Sommelier at Michel Richard's Citronelle in D.C. under Chef Sommelier Mark Slater and she built and directed the wine program for Restaurant 2941 which received recognition from Washingtonian Magazine as on of the top best wine lists in 2006. Her resume includes intense training at a long list of famous restaurants from The French Laundry to Charlie Trotter's in the U.S. and experience at Le Gavroche, (London). She also worked locally as an assistant wine sales consultant at Addy Bassin’s MacArthur Fine Wine Shop.
Born in London, Ms. Abbruzzetti received her Viticulture Degree at Napa Valley College in Napa Valley, California; she holds a Court of Master Sommeliers Certificate and is a member of Les Dames des’ Escoffier D.C. and CR Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. She began her career interning at other Relais Chateaux Alliances in Europe and USA. Currently pursuing her Masters of Wine and is on her third advanced level through the Washington Wine Academy and The Spirit and Wine Education Trust in Great Britain, Ms. Abbruzzetti is an active member of The Washington Wine Academy, D.C. chapter and an active volunteer in wine events for local charities. She is a member of the Washington Wine Academy and serves on the tasting panel for Virginia Wine for the Virginia Wine Review. She also makes wine with Jim Law of Linden Winery in Virginia.