The Little Nell Celebrates New Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy

Aspen’s premier property, The Little Nell, has added another master sommelier to its team, meaning it’s now had more masters come through its wine program than anywhere else in the country. Carlton McCoy, assistant wine director for the hotel, recently received his Master Sommelier Diploma, joining an elite group of 133 top wine professionals in North America.

Ten masters have now come through The Little Nell program. In the past five years, The Little Nell has generated five new Master Sommeliers, with three currently on staff. The exam, dubbed “the hardest test in the world,” has a pass rate of approximately 10 percent.

The Little Nell’s Wine Director Jonathan Pullis received his Master Sommelier diploma in 2009, and Food and Beverage Director Sabato Sagaria received his in 2012.

McCoy began his career in food and beverage in high school, in a culinary arts course. He studied wine and service at The Culinary Institute of America and has worked with Thomas Keller’s Per Se, Marcus Samuellson’s Aquavit, Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak in New York, and Eric Zeibold’s CityZen at The Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC.