We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Zimmerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been driven by passion and creativity, so it only seemed logical that I pursue a career in something that was interesting to me. I studied business at the University of Colorado and upon my graduation I found myself leaning toward a career in food and wine instead of a traditional field of business. I have always been driven by mentors in my business and I strive to surround myself with people committed to excellence. Passion and creativity are very important in my daily work routine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work in an industry that is filled with passionate people who love to be exposed to food, wine, and service. I have worked in many areas of this industry including all facets of restaurants, distributorships, imports, production, and now retail. It is never easy establishing yourself professionally and I have worked very hard to get to where I am today. It has required a bunch of study, working with great people in the industry, focus and dedication, and a little luck. I have learned that you have to constantly be looking for new opportunities to do things better and make yourself better as a business owner, father, husband, and teacher. Being open to new ideas and listening to people around you. Hard work is a core element of my brand and story. There are certainly parts of my life where I could have been smarter or more efficient, but I have always put my head down and worked to get things done. I am a strong believer that a good work ethic will get you far down the road in this world. There are other components to reaching success, but hard work is critical.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Boulder makes this a pretty easy task. There are so many great things to do in this town, especially outdoors! Many of these suggestions don’t take our current pandemic situation into consideration. They are just hypothetical… 🙂 Day 1: Have a coffee and pastry at Boxcar, get snacks for an outdoor lunch from Cured, then check out the patio at the Flagstaff House for a glass of wine and view of Boulder. Day 2: Take a hike up and over Mt. Sanitas, have lunch at Pizzeria Locale, and visit the Boulder Museum in the afternoon. Day 3: Ride road bikes to Jamestown in the morning, have a beer and lunch at one of our many local breweries, and dinner at Corrida outside on the patio. Day4: Coffee at Beleza, play golf at Lake Valley Golf Club with some friends, and have a casual Mexican meal at Efrain’s. Day 5: Breakfast burritos at Santo, lunch at Mateo on the patio for a Chicken Frites and bottle of wine, check out Boulder Theatre or the Fox Theatre for some live music. Day 6: Get a workout in at Crossfit Roots in the morning, brunch at the Kitchen, ride bikes around town, and have a great dinner at Frasca’s bar. Day 7: Head to Rocky Mountain National Park for some fishing in the morning, back in the afternoon for an early dinner outside at the house with great food, wine, and friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Certainly my parents started the pursuit for a passion focused career. I give them credit for exposing me to many of these passions and supporting me as I moved in different directions along the way. Working in great restaurants and with amazing people helped mold my future in the world of food and wine. The Court of Master Sommeliers is an association and group of people that have been a major influence in my life. Friends and family are very important to me and have contributed a tremendous amount to who I am and what I have accomplished.

Website: www.boulderwine.com, www.thesustainablesomm.org, www.boulderburgundyfestival.com

Instagram: @boulderwinemerchant, @sustainablesomm, @boulderburgundy

Linkedin: Brett Zimmerman, MS

Twitter: @brzimmerman, @bldrwinemrchant, @bldrfoodwine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brettz73, https://www.facebook.com/boulderwinemerchant, https://www.facebook.com/sustainablesomm, https://www.facebook.com/BoulderBurgundyFestival

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boulder-wine-merchant-boulder

Youtube: Boulder Wine Merchant, Brett Zimmerman

Image Credits
Darcie Shively (photo in cellar), Court of MS photographer for teaching image.

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