Rick Schofield, CWE's Page

Frederick (Rick) Schofield has been a wine buyer for 14 years. Originally from Montréal, he started working in restaurants at age 16 in the Albany, NY area.

In 1995, while Head Sommelier at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, NY, he was wooed by the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park for the position of Beverage Manager. He was responsible for sourcing, evaluating, purchasing, storing & issuing all wines, spirits and beer for the CIA’s public restaurants and beverage courses. In addition, Schofield arranged the wine pairings for countless VIP functions, catered events and prix-fixe dinners.

Most notably, Schofield developed and arranged the CIA’s acclaimed Winter Dining Series and taught adult education wine classes.

From 1999 to 2008, Schofield was the Assistant Wine Director and buyer for Viscount Wine and Liquor in Wappingers Falls, NY, one of America’s largest stand-alone retail stores.

Schofield is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers; a Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators (one of 121 around the globe); an International Bordeaux Educator with the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux; a Spanish Wine Educator through the Spanish Wine Academy; and holds the WSET Advanced Certificate (Distinction).

He has toured wine regions in: Australia, California, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New York, Ontario, Oregon, Spain and Washington and has been a professional member of the American Wine Society since 1995.

Schofield is also an experienced Wine Judge and a member of prestigious The Wine Judges of Canada.

As a Wholesale Consultant, Schofield offered accounts a passion for fine wine, an appreciation for everyday wines and an understanding of the needs of both restaurant buyers and retail buyers.

Schofield also has professional experience and expertise giving seminars & tutored tastings, refining wine lists, pairing food & wine at the highest level, planning events and training staff.

Today, as a Wine Consultant, Schofield helps Store and Restaurant owners achieve their business goals faster. He helps consumers understand the vinous pleasures of the world. Schofield puts on spectacular and educational wine events, leads tutored tastings and puts on fantastic wine dinners. Schofield leads and presents sessions for the National conference’s of the American Wine Society and the Society of Wine Educators.

He believes that “every meal which lasts a half an hour or more requires a glass of wine” … for improving flavors, for better health, for enhancing conviviality and as part of the gracious way of life. For him, the history, culture and pursuit of wine knowledge is a life-long hobby and pleasure.