Jesse Rodriguez

Jesse Rodriguez, M.Ed., is an award-winning beverage professional with elite credentials, including Advanced Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers ~ Americas, Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (DipWSET), and specialized designations as a Spanish, French, and Italian Wine Scholar (SWS, FWS, IWS).

As the owner of Kaizen Wine Group (KWG), Jesse holds multiple roles across various companies. He works as a consultant in hotel and restaurant development, service, and beverage management at The Bellomy Hospitality Group in Dallas and globally with MSD Investments LLP. Rodriguez is also the Global Ambassador for Magellan Jets, where he creates custom beverage offerings for their private clients, including LIV Golf, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, and the New England Patriots, among others. He collaborates closely with Contenta Events in San Diego as their VIP experience coordinator for clients such as Pacific Biosciences, Guardant Health, Accenture, BlackRock, and UBS Wealth Management. As the Global Director of KHK Wines, Rodriguez leverages his extensive experience, along with longstanding friendships and professional connections.

Rodriguez’s distinguished career includes managing luxury resorts and beverage programs in fine-dining restaurants in California, South Carolina, Las Vegas, and New York City, establishing a keen understanding of the restaurant business and its beverage programs. Rodriguez spent four years with the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, during which he opened Bouchon Las Vegas, trained sommelier teams at Per Se in NYC, and served as Head Sommelier at The French Laundry, where he contributed to the restaurant’s inaugural Michelin three-star award in 2007. During his tenure, The French Laundry maintained the following rankings on the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurants in the World (2002 – 3rd, 2003 – 1st, 2004 – 1st, 2005 – 3rd). He opened Addison at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego. During his 7 years in the post, the Grand Del Mar was named one of only three hotels in the world to hold a Triple 5-star, 5-diamond, Relais & Châteaux, and Wine Spectator Grand Award. He spent seven years at Montage hotels, first as beverage director in Laguna Beach and later in Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, before moving into an importing and distribution role in New York.

Rodriguez’s career is punctuated with prestigious awards and accolades, including two Wine Spectator Inaugural Grand Award wins (2009 and 2014) with Studio at Montage and Addison at the Grand Del Mar and World of Fine Wine Magazine’s, “Best Wine List in the World” 3 Star Award (2018, 2023) for his work at Montage Palmetto Bluff and Southall Farm +Inn in Franklin, TN. In 2025, his list at Southall was named “Best Dessert Wine List in the World” (2025). In addition, he was named Best New Sommelier in America by Wine & Spirits magazine (2009), Best New Sommelier and Wine List in America by Food & Wine magazine (2009), and a two-time James Beard Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Wine Service (2013, 2015).

In 2023, Rodriguez relocated his family to Bozeman, MT, where he leverages his master’s degree in education from Arizona State University in his roles as Program Lead, Professor, and Fly-Fishing Club Advisor at Montana State University, College of Education ~ Sustainable Hospitality Management.

In 2024, Jesse was named to the 78th edition of Marquis Who’s Who in America List.