6 Birmingham restaurant owners featured in a national publication

The Somm Journal—a publication focusing on sommeliers and others in the restaurant and wine business, has named six Birmingham restaurant owners as visionaries shaping the Birmingham wine and spirit scene.

The journal credits Birmingham for having many award-winning chefs, as well as recognizing The Magic City’s spirit scene. Keep reading to see who was recognized.

Chef Frank Stitt

Chef Frank Stitt took a chance on an up-and-coming part of Birmingham to open Highland Bar + Grill in 1982.

Since then, he has won several awards and wants every customer at his two current restaurants, Bottega and Chez Fonfon, to have a unique wine experience.

• Bottega
  • Location: 2240 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
  • Hours: Saturday – Tuesday11 AM–9:30 PM
• Chez Fonfon
  • Location: 2007 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
  • Hours: Friday – Tuesday 11 AM–9:30 PM | Saturday, 4–9:30 PM

Brandon Loper + Trent Stewart

Brandon Loper + Trent Stewart. (Golden Age Wines)

Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart brought Golden Age Wine to Birmingham to share wine through the lens of organic farming + low-intervention making.

They help their customers understand that natural wine can be clean, pleasurable and classic.

• Golden Age Wine
  • Location: 2828 Culver Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
  • Hours: Monday – Thursday 10 AM–9 PM | Friday – Saturday 10 AM–10 PM

Scott Atkinson

Scott Atkinson, Wine Manager at Piggly Wiggly in Crestline Village, leads a team of wine professionals and strives to provide unique wine choices for customers.

Atkinson surveys the contents of customers’ shopping carts to help guide them toward the right wine.

“My wife Gia, who is also in the wine business, and I often hear people comment on the wine and food scene in Birmingham and how we ‘punch so far above our weight.’

It is honestly an honor, and more than a bit humbling, to be grouped in with the other folks featured in the article who have done so much.”

Scott Atkinson, Wine Manager at Piggly Wiggly, Crestline Village

• Piggly Wiggly, Crestline Village
  • 41 Church St, Birmingham, AL 35213
  • Hours: Monday – Saturday 6 AM–9 PM | Sunday 7 AM–9 PM

José Medina Camacho

Adios in Birmingham. (Ashton Johnson & Emily Dixon)

José Medina Camacho, beverage director and operating partner of Adios, has created some of Birmingham’s most respected cocktail programs.

He opened Adios not only to show his mastery in mixology but also to share his heritage and culture with Birminghamians.

• Adios
  • Location: 2218 1st Ave N Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Monday – Sunday 4 PM–12 AM

Carlos Cisneros

Bistro 218 + Carlos Cisneros. (Bham Now)

Carlos Cisneros, Sommelier and Beverage Director at Bocca Ristorante, Bistro 218 and Sloane’s Whiskey Bar, aims to elevate his guests’ dining experience by recommending wines that match their meals, preferences and budgets.

“The Somm Journal is an important magazine to the wine community. It has put Birmingham out there, piece by piece, which is really important.”

Carlos Cisneros, Sommelier and Beverage Director at Bocca Ristorante, Bistro 218 + Sloane’s Whiskey Bar

• Bistro 218
  • Location: 218 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 4:30–9 PM | Friday – Saturday 4:30–10 PM
• Bocca Ristorante
  • Location: 2312 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 4:30–9 PM | Friday – Saturday 4:30–10 PM
• Sloane’s Whiskey Bar

LeNell Camacho Santa Ana

LeNell’s Beverage Boutique in Birmingham (Lenell’s Beverage Boutique)

LeNell Camacho Santa Ana owns LeNell’s Beverage Boutique located in the historic Norwood neighborhood, where she believes beverages have the power to bring people together.

LeNell also expanded her beverage collection after seeing the desire for more non-alcoholic options.

• Lenell’s Beverage Boutique
  • Location: 1208 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35234
  • Hours: Monday – Saturday 12–7 PM

What do you think of these awesome Birmingham visionaries? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!