Participating Chefs, Cyclists and Special Guests

ANTHONY COLE Chatham Bars Inn

JODY ADAMS Chef and Co-Owner at TRADE, Porto and Saloniki

CARLTON MCCOY Lexus Master Sommelier

CARLTON MCCOY

Lexus Master Sommelier

Wine Director at The Little Neil

Carlton McCoy was named wine director of element 47 at The Little Nell in July, marking an incredible rise through the food and wine industry that began with a high school culinary program for underprivileged youth.

Carlton is one of the youngest people in the world to have earned the master sommelier diploma and is the second African American to do so. Just 30 years old, Carlton earned his master sommelier diploma in May of 2013 (at the age of 28!), joining an elite group of wine professionals who have achieved the highest distinction afforded in the wine industry. But growing up, no wine was served in Carlton’s home.

He was raised in a rough neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and spent his time assisting his grandmother with her church-based catering business. In high school he enrolled in the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which helps underprivileged youth get a head start on culinary careers. He was awarded a scholarship to The Culinary Institute of America, where he was called to his true passion: wine and service.

Carlton has a sense of adventure, traveling the world in search of great wine and spirits. He has graced several celebrated restaurants including Thomas Keller’s Per Se, Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit, Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak in New York, Eric Zeibold’s CityZen at The Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., and worked with Doug Anderson at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Carlton arrived at The Little Nell in November 2011, inspired by the hotel”s Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning program and the property”s exciting reputation as a training ground for master sommeliers. The Little Nell has had more masters come through its wine program than any other establishment in the country, with 10 masters working or having worked on property. He has received many awards including the Forbes 30 under 30, Wine Enthusiast Best New Sommelier, Star Chefs’s Rising Star Sommelier among others.

This season, Carlton debuted a new, unpretentious wine tasting program in the cellar at The Little Nell, enabling guests to have a casual après ski tasting (or some late-night fun) with a sommelier. When Carlton is not serving, studying or tasting wine, he is out running, biking, hiking, skiing or spending time with his “little buddy” through the Buddy Program, Aspen’s youth mentoring program.

GEORGE HINCAPIE Lexus Cycling Ambassador

CHRISTIAN VANDE VELDE Lexus Cycling Ambassador