WINE EXPERT RISES UP THE RANKS

A wine expert at a Michelin star restaurant has shot up 11 places - in a matter of months - to be awarded ninth position in the renowned Harper's Top 50 Sommeliers list.

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Vanessa Stoltz works at Restaurant Pine in Northumberland and, as previously reported, took 20th place in the annual list last year - and she has now found that she's rocketed up the rankings, saying she’s “overwhelmed” at the news.

Head sommelier Vanessa is a vital part of the core team at Pine at Vallum Farm, East Wallhouses, which is run by chef-patron Cal Byerley and his front-of-house manager wife Sian, with Ian Waller as head chef and its first Michelin star won in 2022.