Carson Demmond was born in Atlanta, Georgia, into a food-centric family. She graduated summa cum laude from Skidmore College with a degree in French literature, having spent half of her college career abroad at Sorbonne-Paris IV and Paris X Nanterre. She served as a sommelier on Belinda Chang's team at The Modern in New York City for three years before taking on the role of Associate Editor and Tastings Director at Wine & Spirits Magazine. She currently peddles Bordeaux, but can oft be found sipping chenin or champagne. She lives in New York City.

Inside the Wine Cellar at Empire State South
At Empire State South, wine director Steven Grubbs has applied an Old World sensibility to match chef Hugh Acheson's Southern menu.
- story: Carson Demmond
- photo: Jordan Noel