After graduating college, Jeff Chow decided to backpack across Europe. Eventually, he started to run out of money. So, since it happened to be the height of wine season he learned that vineyards were always looking to hire help to work the fields. With just enough money left he hopped a train to Bordeaux, France and soon after arriving knocked on the first chateau’s door he came across and got lucky—he was hired. “That’s when I discovered the wine business,” Chow says. “That’s when I began to fall in love with it all.”

Four decades later, Chow has filled his life with all things wine, including running various wine programs in restaurants across the country, working as a wine distributor and educator and, this year, he joined Orla at Mandalay Bay as the wine director and sommelier.

“I’ve put together a international global wine list at Orla,” Chow says. “We have something for everyone’s budget. One wine for $66,000 and wines priced at $60 and everything in between. I love guiding people through the experience.”

Ever since he bought that one-way ticket to Europe, Chow has continued to nourish his passion for wine. “Wine is a passion of mine,” he says. “Wine never stops evolving. There’s so much to learn. I love the emerging styles and new trends. … It’s fulfilling to me, learning and teaching about wine. I’m still in love with it all.”

Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

Libation: Kir-Yianni Ramnista Xinomavro 2019

Chow has curated an award-winning wine list with many of the vintages coming from boutique vineyards, like the Ramnista Xinomavro 2019, a vibrant red wine from Greek vineyard Kir-Yianni. “I love to use this wine in the dinner pairings I put together,” he says.

Benefit: After dinner, order the Rakomelo, a house-made Mediterranean elixir with apple brandy, honey and spices.

Mandalay Bay, 702.632.9400. mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com

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