The Cache at Ginger and Baker is proud to announce the addition of Anya Bowman to their experienced team of sommeliers. Bowman, who has been with The Cache for three years, recently passed her level one sommelier course. She is the sixth certified sommelier on staff at The Cache, further enhancing the restaurant’s commitment to providing a dining experience unlike any other in Northern Colorado.
“When you have a hospitality team with real knowledge about wine, they can provide excellent food and wine pairings and offer guests just a little bit more, which is what we try to do in The Cache,” says Christian McClure, certified sommelier and manager of The Cache. “We can share a fun story about the wine and give guests good background on where it was grown. Every wine on our list has a great story.”
Along with McClure, who passed his second-level sommelier certification two years ago, The Cache hospitality team includes five servers who have passed their level one sommelier certification: Anya Bowman, Niko Bariozkin, Kristopher Auger, Ashley Luhmann and Ian Bearrs. The other two members of the team include bartender Bryan Paiement, who has published three books on cocktails, and server Brant Williams who has extensive wine knowledge gleaned from years working in notable California restaurants.
The level-one sommelier course is intense, covering information about wine as well as tasting exercises and wine service demonstrations. The exam itself is made up of 70 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 45 minutes. A minimum score of 60 percent is required to pass.
The Cache has always prioritized creating a unique atmosphere where the community can gather to enjoy not only Colorado steaks, chops and fresh seafood, but also the perfect glass of wine. Their sommeliers initiate the dining experience with knowledgeable suggestions from their Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list as well as their extensive spirits list, house cocktails and mocktails. The hospitality team ensures that every guest receives personalized recommendations that perfectly complement their meal.
“Even if I haven’t tasted a particular wine, I can tell them about the soil where the grapes were grown and what the wine will taste like,” Bowman says. “It’s great to be able to share what I know, and so many people like to learn about wine.”
The Cache provides different opportunities for guests to enjoy and learn more about wine. They host wine pairing dinners in the Wine Cellar, wine tasting classes in the Teaching Kitchen, wine by the glass in the Cafe and a monthly Wine Club that offers two unique bottles of wine every month.
The addition of Anya Bowman as the newest sommelier at The Cache reinforces Ginger and Baker’s commitment to giving guests a well-rounded and thoughtful dining experience. Bowman’s passion for wine and her recent certification adds another layer of expertise to the team and to the wine experiences The Cache can provide guests.