Iconoclastic sommelier André Hueston Mack was the first African-American to be
named Best Young Sommelier in America by Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was a somme-
lier at Thomas Keller’s renowned French Laundry before opening Chef Keller’s three-
Michelin-starred Per Se. As one of the top professionals in the wine industry he has
worked with the likes of Amazon, Cadillac, Ebay, National Rental Car, Microsoft and has
appeared on Anthony Bourdain’s “The Taste” and NBC’s “Uncorked”. Recently, Mack
has recently been featured in videos with Bon Appétite.
In 2007, he founded Maison Noir Wines which incorporated his trademark attitude and
personal perspective on wine subculture. The wines are unique and distinctive garage
wines (micro-négociant) which source the best fruit possible in the Willamette Valley re-
gion of Oregon to produce wines showing the individuality of their respective sites and
terroirs. Mack produces 40,000 cases annually which can be found in the best restau-
rants and retail stores in 45 states and 11 countries.
A self-taught graphic designer, Mack designs all of his labels as well as a t-shirt line for
Maison Noir Wines. He has also authored Small Thyme Cooks, the world’s first culinary
coloring and activity book which he also illustrated, and 99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s
Guide to Life-Changing Wines, his part memoir and part wine guide. With his wife
Phoebe Damrosch, Mack founded and runs & Sons Hospitality Group in the Prospect
Lefferts Garden neighborhood of Brooklyn, which includes their wine shop, ham bar,
and provisions shop with more to come.