Full Name
Brent Kroll
Job Title
Proprietor - Wine Director
Company Name
Maxwell, POP and Trouble Bird
Speaker Bio
Those familiar with Brent and his approachable, sophisticated style, obvious passion for and knowledge of wine, will recognize his influence at Maxwell, where you’re most likely to find him behind the bar.
Most recently, Brent was named a 2026 Semi-Finalist by James Beard for Outstanding beverage professional. In 2018 Food & Wine named Brent Sommelier of the Year. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washingtonian, The Washington Post, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and more, and was named a Rising Star by StarChefs.com in 2014.
Prior to opening Maxwell in June 2017, Brent oversaw 16 wine programs for the Neighborhood Restaurant Group where he designed the wine program of the newly re-opened Iron Gate, a historic landmark that was once the longest operating restaurant in D.C. In 2015, Iron Gate was awarded Wine Program of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and Top Wine Program in the D.C. region by DC Modern Luxury, and was also recognized as one of the Best Wine Restaurants in America byWine Enthusiast. In addition, Brent wrote the wine lists for other restaurants such as Adour by Alain Ducasse and Casa Tua in Miami.
Most recently, Brent was named a 2026 Semi-Finalist by James Beard for Outstanding beverage professional. In 2018 Food & Wine named Brent Sommelier of the Year. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washingtonian, The Washington Post, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and more, and was named a Rising Star by StarChefs.com in 2014.
Prior to opening Maxwell in June 2017, Brent oversaw 16 wine programs for the Neighborhood Restaurant Group where he designed the wine program of the newly re-opened Iron Gate, a historic landmark that was once the longest operating restaurant in D.C. In 2015, Iron Gate was awarded Wine Program of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and Top Wine Program in the D.C. region by DC Modern Luxury, and was also recognized as one of the Best Wine Restaurants in America byWine Enthusiast. In addition, Brent wrote the wine lists for other restaurants such as Adour by Alain Ducasse and Casa Tua in Miami.
Speaking At
