Watson Brown

Wine Director – Mattos Hospitality Group, USA

Watson is currently the Wine Director for the New York City based Mattos Hospitality Group, who’s concepts include Estela, Altro Paradiso, Lodi, and the 9 Orchard Hotel. Previously, he spent five years at the three-star Michelin Eleven Madison Park, where he joined the wine team for it’s Fall reopening in 2017 following the announcement as San Pellegrino’s World’s Best Restaurant. During his time as a Sommelier, he was promoted to Head Sommelier, then Wine Director. Through the early stages of the pandemic, he led a core group of volunteers to repurpose Eleven Madison Park to prepare and deliver boxed meals to first responders and at-risk populations around New York City in collaboration with Rethink Food NYC. His prior New York experience includes time as a Sommelier at Marseille in the Theater District, Head Sommelier of Cafe d’Alsace on the Upper East Side, and Wine Director for downtown based Delicious Hospitality Group at restaurants such as Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones. He achieved his Advanced Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2018. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Tay, and their dog, Bennie.