Bill Brandel’s hospitality career began in Washington, DC in 1978 when he worked in the front of the house for restaurants. His wine studies commenced early when he realized that wines sales were the number one key to making more tips. He moved to Florida where he worked as a captain (in the days before the word sommelier was popular) at Yesterday’s in Fort Lauderdale from 1982 thru 1986: one of the busiest restaurants in the country at that time. He moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and became Assistant Maitre’d and Captain at Westwood Marquis Hotel until 1991. Brandel was a member of the Sommelier Association of Southern California during that time.

In 1992, he began a long stint at Southern Wine & Spirits (Passing the CSW and 1st Level Court of Master Somms in late 90’s. He spent four years as a full-line salesperson (On-premise) and 16 years as an on-premise wine manager. With his wine knowledge, he was asked to give countless wine training seminars and was the main speaker at dozens of wine dinners.

Brandel began his own brokerage firm, “Family Wine Partners” in 2012 – for small, family-owned wineries in Southern California.

In 2014, he joined The Tasting Panel & SOMM Journal in January 2014 as VP/Marketing.