Superstition Mountain Sommelier Extraordinaire - Samantha Otto

At its core, a sommelier is a wine professional.

To get more specific, according to Somm.org: historically, the term referred to a steward responsible for procuring and managing provisions, including wine. Over time, it evolved into a role centered on wine knowledge, quality control, and service. Today, the term is broader. Many sommeliers work outside restaurants—in importing, retail, education, production, consulting, media, or corporate beverage management. In those contexts, “sommelier” signals advanced wine literacy rather than a specific job description. 

At Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, we’re proud to have certified sommeliers on staff, including Samantha Otto. We sat down with Samantha to pick her brain about wine and what it takes to become a sommelier.

Why did you decide to become a sommelier?
I became a sommelier because I enjoy helping people discover something new. Wine combines knowledge, hospitality and creativity. There is something special about guiding someone to a wine they didn’t expect to love and seeing their whole experience change because of that choice.


What was your training like to get certified?
Training during this process was complete torture if I am being honest. I did the course online, and they have sections for each region. I was completely lost. They give you a practice exam to help give you a guideline but, let’s be honest, there wasn’t a real guideline. You really had to know each grape that each region was using. It didn’t stop there, you needed to know soil, mountain ranges, the climate of each mountain range and so much more. Then, once you felt like you could handle it, a curveball was thrown in. I had to learn things like wind current and latitudes. So, as difficult as it was, it was also actually intriguing.

What do you do as a sommelier at the Club?
I help with wine tastings and wine dinners and selecting the wines we put on our wine list. I try to provide our members with the best service I can with a heavy dose of hospitality thrown in. I like to banter and joke with members as part of their experience.


What characteristics do you personally look for in a “good” wine?
What I look for in a “good” wine is that it shows balance and sense of place. The harmony between acidity, fruit, tannin, alcohol and body, as well as clarity of flavor and an expressive finish.

My current favorite wine is La Vielle Ferm Rose. It’s inexpensive (cheap actually) but delicious. Typically, I like lighter alcohol in wines. I want to be able to taste and experience the wine without the effects of higher alcohol content.
 

What advice would you give someone about selecting a bottle of wine they haven’t tried before? 
Helping someone pick out a bottle of wine, I would need to know how their palate works. Start from the basics, then move on. Do they like red or white? What are they looking for in their flavor profile? What region do they like best? Once you have that, you can pretty much help anyone that is selecting a wine.

Whether she’s leading a tasting, curating the wine list or sharing a laugh with members over a great bottle, Samantha Otto brings passion, expertise and warmth to every glass poured at Superstition Mountain. Her approach reflects what makes our club special—thoughtful service, meaningful connections and experiences that turn everyday moments into something worth savoring. Cheers to discovering your next favorite wine at the Club.

Looking for more wine advice? Check out these blogs from our expert team:

3 wine and food pairing tips and our breakdown of the Most Popular Types of Wine

Members can also join the Wine Society and purchase bottles of wine for their home or to enjoy at the Clubhouse at cost-plus-25%. With monthly wine tastings, biannual wine showcases and continuing education, the Wine Society is a standout amenity designed to deepen members’ knowledge while making great wine even more accessible.