Meet Sara Elizabeth Jimenez | Wine & Olive Oil Sommelier & Owner of Somm In The City

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Elizabeth Jimenez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara Elizabeth, what do you attribute your success to?
I am authentic, personable, and make everyone feel like anything they want is possible. I have a strong work ethic and my goal is always about the customer.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Somm In The City is a dynamic food, wine, and hospitality consulting brand founded by Sommelier and former pastry chef turned private chef, Sara Jimenez. With a deep passion for exceptional culinary experiences, Sara works with some of the country’s top locations, including a farm-to-table butcher, where she launched a sustainable and organic wine program alongside an engaging events program.

She has been the Guest Sommelier for a top destination spa for years and consults for numerous wine shops, restaurants, and luxury hospitality brands, helping them develop standout wine programs and immersive guest experiences. In addition to her consulting work, Sara is the founder of Somm In The Grove, her private-label Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sourced from small, sustainable producers to highlight the beauty of monovarietal olive oils.

Beyond wine and olive oil, Sara curates luxury dining and tasting events, from intimate in-home experiences to large-scale hospitality activations. She also has international trips on the horizon, offering exclusive opportunities for guests to explore food, wine, and culture with her expert guidance. Whether through bespoke events, consulting, or curated travel, Somm In The City brings exceptional taste and storytelling to every experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone is visiting me in Nashville, I would absolutely recommend:
Henrietta Red – Oysters and wine make for the perfect start.
Pelican & Pig – Wood-fired cuisine with an excellent wine list.
Attaboy – Not wine, but a top-notch cocktail bar for a change of pace.

also these top spots, because I love that Tennessee farm feel and freshness we have
Nashville Farmers’ Market – A perfect way to explore Tennessee’s best local goods.
Highland Cow Farm Visit – A fun and unique experience seeing these adorable animals up close.
Lou Nashville – A charming wine bar with an excellent natural wine selection.

If someone was visiting me in New York, where I spent most of my life,
Union Square Greenmarket – Stroll through and taste local, sustainable produce.
and for some amazing food and wine: I’d go Old World French for NYC for one night including
Le Coucou – Start with an elegant French brunch and a glass of Champagne.
Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels – A must-visit for natural wine lovers in SoHo.
Frenchette – Modern bistro dining with an exceptional wine list.

and lastly if we wanted to road trip above the city, here would be amazing visits!
Hudson Valley Wine Tour – Visit places like Millbrook Vineyards and Whitecliff Winery for stunning views and delicious wines.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns – A farm-to-table experience unlike any other.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, who always allowed me to be myself—even when others told her I was “too creative” or “too much.” She believed in me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to experiment, create, and explore what made me happy. That freedom to discover my passions, even if it meant bouncing around for a while, was invaluable. Both of my parents played a big role in fueling my love for wine, which later became the foundation of my career.

Along the way, I was also fortunate to have some incredible chef mentors in high school through the Freehold High School Culinary Program. Their guidance and encouragement helped shape my early career as a chef before I transitioned into the world of wine as a sommelier.

Throughout my career in NYC, I met so many people who taught me invaluable lessons—some through their mentorship and others through the challenges I had to overcome. I learned a lot the hard way, by failing and getting back up again. But I’ve been lucky to have amazing people enter my life at just the right moments, giving me the guidance, support, or push I needed to see where I was meant to go next. Their influence, paired with the unwavering support from my family, made all the difference in my journey.

Website: https://www.somminthecity.com

Instagram: @somminthecity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraejimenez/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somminthecity

Youtube: @Sara_somminthecity

Other: TikTok: Somminthecity

Image Credits
None,