PALM BEACH, FL – Guided by a commitment to excellence, The Breakers Palm Beach is regarded as home to one of the country’s most respected wine programs, led by Master Sommeliers Virginia Philip, Wine Director, and Juan Gomez. Rooted in education, craftsmanship, and uncompromising standards, their vision extends beyond the cellar to elevate the guest experience and inspire a deeper appreciation for wine at every level. This approach is supported by the depth of the resort’s offerings and a strong dedication to professional development across its luxury food & beverage divisions.
A 55,000‑bottle collection spans 10 restaurants, banquet operations, and in‑room dining, encompassing more than 2,200 selections from 18 countries, with bottles ranging from $65 to $38,000. Each wine list is thoughtfully curated to complement the culinary identity of corresponding venues.
The Breakers’ Dining Collection: Notable Highlights
HMF continues to preserve The Breakers’ distinction as a recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award since the honor’s inception in 1981. Today, the restaurant upholds that annual legacy with a 60-plus page wine list designed to surprise and delight, and pair seamlessly with its globally inspired sharing plates. A striking 3,000‑bottle Wine Wall—serves as both a centerpiece and a dramatic counterpoint to the room’s historic architecture.
Seafood Bar showcases the freshest fish and seafood, alongside the resort’s most extensive wine‑by‑the‑glass selection. The program is complemented by a Connoisseurs Reserve menu featuring rare, aged, and cult wines available exclusively by the bottle, with standouts spanning Burgundy, Bordeaux, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and premium specialty whites.
Henry’s Palm Beach, one of two off‑site dining concepts, offers an approachable neighborhood restaurant with a thoughtfully curated wine list that presents a variety of competitively priced selections alongside iconic labels. Its by‑the‑glass program includes four immersive wine flights—red, white, rosé and bubbles—each presented on a custom mat designed to educate, engage, and invite repeat discovery.
The Breakers’ Proprietary Custom Blends: From Languedoc, France to Palm Beach
Virginia Philip is the visionary behind The Breakers’ exclusive custom‑blends, which launched in 2004. The initiative was born from her desire to elevate the caliber of house wines through hands-on craftsmanship and an extraordinary investment of time and expertise.
Each year, Philip travels to southern France to create proprietary blends exclusively for the resort. Since 2014, she has partnered with the family‑owned Mas La Chevalière in the Languedoc region, working alongside the winemaker to meticulously refine Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Approximately 36,000 bottles are produced annually and are poured throughout the resort, with limited retail availability at The Breakers’ News & Gourmet boutique.
“Every luxury brand seeks something truly its own,” said Philip. “Our custom blends are an extension of who we are—expertly composed, distinctive, and impossible to replicate. We’ve transformed what is typically a basic offering into something meaningful, elevating expectations for what a house wine can be.”
Master Sommeliers: Defining Achievements
- Virginia Philip became the 11th woman in the world to earn Master Sommelier certification in 2002—just two years after joining The Breakers Palm Beach. Three weeks later, she was awarded Best Sommelier in America by the American Sommelier Association, a distinction she held through 2006. A James Beard Foundation nominee for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional, Philip also holds an honorary doctorate in Oenology from Johnson & Wales University.
- Juan Gomez, Philip’s protégé, began his career at The Breakers in 2001 as a restaurant server, enrolling in his first wine class shortly after. Only a few years into his education, he passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Exam (2003) and earned the Master Sommelier certification (2007). Today, he remains the only native Mexican in the history of the Court to achieve the title.
