About Iris
Iris Elena Scorca (née Rowlee) is a Court of Masters certified Sommelier, a Verona based Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador, and a Barolo based Italian International Indigenous Wine and Food Studies Center (3iC) Certified Educator. She served as the West Coast Ambassador for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, has been a repeat participant in the Barolo based Collisioni Wine Education Board with famed wine writer Dr. Ian d’Agata and is an honored Knight of the Ordine dei Cavalieri del Tartufo e dei Vini di Alba.
Iris has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and Australia studying the local cuisine, wine and spirits. She believes continuing education is key to growth and takes joy in sharing her knowledge and passion with others through orchestrating wine programs in restaurants and taking part in many wine education events, panels and symposiums, both locally and internationally.
She has been a contributing writer for wine and spirits articles both locally and abroad and has been a guest Sommelier on local San Francisco ABC and NBC news programs. One of her proudest accomplishments was when, acting as a Sommelier at A16, the restaurant received the James Beard award for Best Wine program in the Nation in 2015.
Iris’ passion and deep knowledge of the world of wine’s diverse varieties and landscapes parlay into her work. She strives to bring consumers new explorations in wine, something they might not expect or have discovered on their own. “It’s about broadening the human experience,” says Iris, “and the rich history, variety of terroir, and compelling stories behind winemaking.”