Paul Coker is the lead sommelier at Stonehill Tavern, the Forbes Four-Star Michael Mina restaurant at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Coker has an Advanced Sommelier certificate, and oversees a wine selection of more than 700 bottles with a focus on boutique producers in the California wine regions.
Prior to becoming a sommelier, Coker spent seven years as a cook and leverages his culinary background to create wine pairings on a molecular level. His fresh, fun approach to wine is easily accessible to aficionados and novices alike. Coker is ingrained in the Orange County community having worked at several local restaurants. In his free time, Coker enjoys playing hockey, mountain biking and reading.
“Sometimes people make too big a deal of it. We want wine to be fun,” said Paul. “My goal is for people to try something new, shift their paradigm a little, but ultimately have a great night enjoying delicious food and wine.”
STONEHILL TAVERN AT ST. REGIS, MONARCH BEACH
Open for dinner only, Stonehill Tavern at The St. Regis Monarch Beach is Michael Mina's acclaimed restaurant, offering tavern fare in a casual yet sophisticated setting. Guests of the Forbes Four-Star Stonehill Tavern enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience, including modern American cuisine that features seasonal ingredients and contemporary twists on classic tavern dishes. Under the direction of Wine Director Rajat Parr, Stonehill Tavern presents a wine selection of 400 to 500 bottles with a focus on boutique producers in the California wine regions. Stonehill Tavern was designed by celebrated international designer Tony Chi, whose striking décor and artful melding of interior dining and terrace seating provides an inviting visual expression of the outdoor way of life that represents California.
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