Born and raised in Colorado, Brett Zimmerman discovered his passion for wine while working his way through the University of Colorado, first as a busboy and then as a waiter for Boulder’s Laudisio and Flagstaff House. After graduation, Brett was accepted for a sommelier position at Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago and continued his education after relocating to San Francisco as a sommelier for Aqua, before returning to Colorado to open his own restaurant, Mateo. 

Three years later, Brett left the restaurant business to focus on his true passion – fine wine – taking a position as Colorado’s General Manager of the American Fine Wine Division of Southern Wine and Spirits. This dedication to his craft culminated in the spring of 2007, when he successfully passed his Masters Examination and earned the highly coveted distinction of Master Sommelier.

In 2010, Brett purchased the Boulder Wine Merchant from fellow Master Sommeliers Wayne Belding and Sally Mohr, and for the past ten years, he has served as the Executive Director for a wine festival he started for the purpose of educating customers and professionals in the industry on the wines and culture of Burgundy, France.  The surplus from the ticket sales and sponsor contributions go to local charity partners.  

In addition to his role at the Boulder Wine Merchant, Brett has served as a quality control consultant with Integrated Beverage Group since 2016, and he recently launched a project called Sustainable Somm with a mission to use science and education to inspire the adoption of socially and environmentally responsible agricultural and production practices. 

Brett lives in Boulder with his wife, Jennifer, who is a co-owner of the Wine Merchant and managing partner for her own law firm Dolan and Zimmerman, LLP.  They have two sons, Sutton and Finley.