Five women to know in wine Ⅱ:Shelley Lindgren

Wine Director/Owner

Shelley Lindgren’s reputation for seeking out Italian wines made with lesser-known grapes has earned her recognition as a wine pioneer.

Lindgren, who has worked in restaurants all her life, feels that her job is less about creating high-profile wine lists and more about sharing her passion for wine and hospitality with guests.

A graduate of University of San Francisco, she spent six years at the fine-dining restaurant Fleur de Lys while earning her sommelier certificate. Lindgren also earned a culinary certificate at the Tante Marie Cooking School, where she has been teaching wine since 2002.

Along with owner Victoria Libin, and chef Christophe Hille they formed the team that created A16, and added their flame to the wood-burning Neopolitan pizza trend that continues to sweep the nation. In keeping with their focus on local interpretation of Campania inspired food, Lindgren introduced a bounty of Southern Italian wines to an appreciative San Francisco clientele.

Lindgren continues to search for evocative wines to serve at A16 and sister restaurant, SPQR. To stay current, she embarks on rigorous tasting trips to Italy twice a year. In the restaurants, she mentors employees by encouraging them to earn their sommelier’s certificate.

As a member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, Lindgren stays involved with San Francisco’s food community. She has taught at the Culinary Institute of America, and is a regular instructor at Tante Marie. Lindgren’s first book, A16 Food + Wine, was awarded Cookbook of the Year and First Book/The Julia Child Award at the prestigious 2009 IACP Cookbook Awards. In August 2009, she was honored with Gourmet magazine’s Sommelier Award, presented to the next generation of wine stars, in the category of Educator and in November 2009 she was awarded the Golden Goblet Award by the Association of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

She has been named:

Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits

Best Wine Director in San Francisco Magazine

Nominee for Best Wine Service in 2010 by the James Beard Foundation