This feature is part of our 2024 Next Wave Awards.
Although her content features enviable bottles from producers like Keller, Jacques Selosse, and Dauvissat, Eun Hee Kwon’s social media presence makes wine education feel accessible to all. Over just two years in the industry, the graphic designer-turned-sommelier has held positions at some of New York City’s top restaurants and won over a broad audience of wine lovers with her relatable videos on Instagram and TikTok — and she’s just getting started.
Kwon worked in the graphic design world for seven years, but after facing layoffs twice during the pandemic in 2020, she decided to give her long-standing interest in wine a real shot. She dove head first into certification courses, tracking her journey on social media along the way. Her previous experience editing TikToks for her design firm came in handy, as her beautifully curated videos — that often feature detailed illustrations — captivated curious wine lovers across the internet.
Credit: Jeff Brown
Her content ranges from region overviews and producer profiles to answering questions like “Why are some wines so expensive?” Kwon also frequently posts “week in the life” videos sharing exactly what it’s like to be a sommelier in New York City, providing a rare insight into what can sometimes be an esoteric position.
“My previous job forced me to explore TikTok as I worked for a brand where the main demographic and target audience was Gen Z,” Kwon says. “So I decided to use the tools I
