Jonathan Kleeman

Who’s excited for next week? I know I am! 😊 Thrilled to announce that I’ll be attending Imbibe Live with the amazing ! 🍸

Join me for a cocktail masterclass in the Cocktail Lounge at 3:45pm on Monday, where I’ll be alongside industry legends Anthony Peart and Helen Boyle. We’ll be diving into conscious bartending and showcasing some sustainable, seasonal (and absolutely delicious) cocktails! 🌿🍹

Next Monday and Tuesday, swing by for a chat with the Gattertop Drinks Company fantastic team and sample their multi-award-winning, seasonally driven vodkas. Don’t forget to visit Gattertop Drinks Company at stand C120! 🎉

STAND: C120

Proud to be included in the Top 100 Sommeliers 2024 at #11 – Issued by · June  2024 
The annual ranking of the UK’s very best sommeliers is curated by Sommelier Edit, from a constantly updated database of working sommeliers, the list has been honed to select the Top 100 Sommeliers, based on a points system, which takes into consideration expert wine knowledge and qualifications; level of management responsibility; working experience and seniority; and, awards and competition success.

2024 Thank you for having me be part of the revival of this key competition, judging wines for the on-trade, by the on-trade.

Château Margaux has a long and storied history as one of the five original Grand Cru Classés of the Left Bank. It is the only First Growth wine from the Margaux appellation and an iconic representation of the elegance and aging potential for which the region is renowned.

The 2008 vintage in particular is a beautifully balanced and poised example of Château Margaux, more classically styled than the riper 2009s or firmly structured 2010s. I consider it one of the world’s greatest wines, transcending the Margaux terroir. This bottle would be a special treat to enjoy.

🍷✨ What an incredible experience at the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2024! As one of the judges, I had the privilege of tasting some of the most exquisite wines presented by talented winemakers from around the globe. Each wine told a unique story, a blend of tradition and innovation. It was an honor to be part of this journey with President Josep Roca and my fellow esteemed sommeliers. We celebrated not just the flavors but the rich cultural heritage behind each bottle. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this event a resounding success! 🥂

Cyprien Arlaud has truly carved out a beautiful style to his wines that is instantly recognisable and no more is this show then in his wines from Morey-st-Denis even in more robust vintages like 2015 his wines still show elegance and length not allowing the fruit to dominate though still shows the vintage with some extra concentration to those fruiter tones. This is my fiancés favourite wine producer.

The Grand Trianon
Hailing from the Hill of Fruska Gora 140 meters above see level this Cabernet Sauvignon Dominated bled is acompanied by some Merlot and Syrah that bring some round body and dark fruit tones that add to this structured wine, despite the warm climate and full body the fruit is fresh and avoids jammness, a fantastic example of a full body wine that is still refined. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting last summer and have enjoyed learning about the wast history of the region and long tradition of the winery. Absolutely a trip I’ll be returning to.

Now, there was a time, when they used to say, that behind ev’ry great man, there had to be a great woman.
But oh, in these times of change, you know that woman is his manager, publicist, agent, landlord and owner and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (She didn’t made me say this.)

We are seeking experienced dispense bartenders to join us at and

In addition to working with a great team, we also offer:
- Quarterly staff socials
- 50% off food across multiple sites
- Service incentive bonus
- Staff meals
- Staff referral bonus
- Team building events

Do you or anyone you know want to be part of our team? Send your CV to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

The is named after Sir Winston Churchill who was ’s most illustrious devotee and customer of the house having met Odette Pol-Roger at lunch which started a great friendship. Churchill even named one of his favourite racehorses after her and she would send him a case of vintage champagne on his birthday.
After Churchills death Pol Roger put black-bordered labels on the bottles destined for the UK in 1975 the house went a step further and named the prestige cuvée after him. The grapes only come from Grand Cru vineyards in the style that he preferred: Rich, Rounded and long lived only made in the best years.
2006 is the sixteenth vintage of the Cuvée a vintage known for high quality and elegant champagne it has still not soften the rich style of the Cuvée but does carry a touch more minerality. It has 10 years of cellaring and around 8 years on the lees. The blend of the wine is a secret but is dominated by Pinot Noir.

Leaders are more like navigators than drivers. While drivers take the spotlight, it’s the navigator who truly leads, guiding everyone from point A to point B.

During a recent trip, it became clear to me that leadership is about understanding the bigger picture and complexities, then motivating and directing a team to success. The driver serves a crucial role but cannot determine the destination without the navigator's guidance.

It’s essential to provide continuous learning opportunities to drivers. This shows appreciation, fuels ambition, and helps maintain humility by exposing them to new areas of knowledge. Growth requires a broader understanding of interconnected functions.

While drivers deserve recognition, leaders must provide learning opportunities. This approach helps them appreciate the vast knowledge left to gain. Understanding the complexities of business is key. Leaders are navigators who guide teams from point A to point B.

We are seeking experienced Chef de Parties and Commis Chefs to join us at

In addition to working with a great team, we also offer;
- Quarterly staff socials
- 50% off food across multiple sites
- Service incentive bonus
- Staff meals
- Staff referral bonus
- Team building events

Do you or anyone you know want to be part of our team? Send your CV to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

I’ve been a proud member of the since 2021 writing on hospitality. Here are some of my writing which has appeared on RollingStone.com as well as Rolling Stone Culture Council Expert Panel round ups.

Pleased to have been included in The 2023.

The judges
Top 100 Sommeliers was judged and audited by; Sarah Jane Evans MW, author, journalist and broadcaster, Giovanni Ferlito MCA, Head of Wine & Beverage, The Ritz, London, Svetoslav Manolev MS, wine consultant, educator and wine judge, Thierry Tomasin MCA, Restaurant Director, The Savoy Grill and Queena Wong, collector and founder, Curious Vines. Co founders Angeline Bayly and Charlotte Hey complete the judging panel as ex officio judges.

2023 Top Sommeliers
1. Gareth Ferreira MS, Beverage Director, Core by Clare Smyth, London
2. Matteo Furlan, Head of Wines, The Dorchester, London
3. John Power, Head Sommelier, The James Thomson Collection, Scotland
4. Stuart Skea, Group Head Sommelier, Aizle, Scotland
5. Melody Wong, Wine Director, The Peninsula Hotel, London
6. Sumith Alahakoon, Head Sommelier, 1906 Restaurant, Scotland
7. Stefan Kobald, Head Sommelier, Core by Clare Smyth, London
8. Joel Bastian, Group Head Sommelier, The Kitchin Group, Scotland
9. Sonal Clare, Wine Director, The Wilderness, Birmingham
10. Emanuel Pesqueira, Head of Wine, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, London
11. Winnie Toh, Head Sommelier, The Aubury, London
12. Alexios Stasinopoulos, Director of Wine, Seren Collection, Pembrokeshire
13. Daniel Stojcic, Deputy Head Sommelier, Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
14. Noemie Favrat, Head Sommelier Le Comptoir Joel Robuchon, London
15. Adriana Valentini, Head of Beverage, Oxford & Cambridge Club, London
16. Eugenio Egorov, Head Sommelier, The Stafford Hotel, London
17. Lukas Hyner, F&B Manager, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
18. Donald Edwards, Head Sommelier, La Trompette, London
19. Andres Ituarte, Head Sommelier, Mandarin Oriental, London
20. Jonathan Kleeman, Group Head Sommelier, Story, London
21. Agnieszka Swiecka, Head of Wine, Mount Street Restaurant at The Audley, London
22. Vincenzo Arnese, Wine Director, Raffles hotel at the OWO, London
23. Roxane Dupuy, Head Sommelier, The Twenty Two, London
24. Glen Montgomery, Head Sommelier, Eorna, Scotland
25. Imre Somogyi, Head Sommelier, Les 110 de Taillevent, London

I’m delighted to be included in annual list of the best sommeliers in the UK for 2023 among so many talented colleagues.
Top 25 Sommeliers 2023
01 Isa Bal MS
Co-owner and sommelier, Trivet

02 Agnieszka Swiecka
Head of wine, Mount St Restaurant and The Audley

03 Gareth Ferreira MS
Head sommelier and beverage director, Core by Clare Smyth

04 Roxane Dupuy
Head sommelier, The Twenty Two

05 Julien Sarrasin
Head sommelier, Hide

06 Fred Brugues
Wine director, Sketch Restaurant

07 Nicolò Cereghini
Head sommelier, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught

08 Jonathan Kleeman
Executive group sommelier and wine and beverage director, Story

09 Merlin Ramos
Head sommelier and wine buyer, Humo

10 Cong Cong Bo
Co-owner, Amphora Cambridge

11 Joshua Mullock
Group head sommelier, The Askham Collection, Askham Hall

12 Valentin Mouillard
Head sommelier, L’Enclume

13 Matthew Davison
Head sommelier, Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms

14 Miguel Crunia
Head sommelier, Whiskers Wine Bar & Bistro

15 Alexandra Price
Head of wine, Crispin & Bar Crispin

16 Beatrice Bessi
Head sommelier, Chiltern Firehouse

17 Sarah Wright
Head sommelier, The Mulwray, Evelyn’s Table, and The Blue Posts

18 Vanessa Stolz
Head sommelier Restaurant Pine

19 Charles Carron Brown
Restaurant manager, Aulis

20 Glen Montgomery
Co-owner and sommelier, Eòrna restaurant

21 Victor Barré
Head sommelier, Chez Bruce

22 Donald Edwards
Head sommelier, La Trompette

23 Antonio Palmarini
Head sommelier, Beaverbrook Townhouse

24 Shane McHugh
Group wine buyer, Goodman Restaurant Holdings

25 Anna Frost
Head sommelier, Ophelia/GRDY Group

Thanks to the Judging Panel
Eric Aracil, director, Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon
Céline Bouteiller, director, Otaria Communications & Media
Stefan Neumann MS, wine consultant, Fells
Andrew Catchpole, judging chair, and editor, Harpers Wine & Spirit

We are looking for waiters and sommeliers to join our team! Send us your CV via email to [email protected] if you think you'd be a good fit.