Every Bottle Has a Story
And So Does James
For James De Smet-Bacon, wine has never been just something to drink — it’s a language, a story, and a way of drawing people together. His journey began at a trestle table in Brittany, France, where fresh oysters met their perfect partner in a glass of Muscadet. The pairing was elemental: salt and sea and wine, raw and pure. In that moment, James understood that wine could be more than flavor — it could be memory, discovery, connection. And he wanted more.
That spark led him into the trade at Peter Dominick’s in Leicester, England, where hecame to know the discipline of the trade and the excitement of the annual Beaujolais Nouveau release — that fevered November ritual when the year’s new vintage raced out of France to be toasted around the world. After four seasons of this whirlwind, he realized wine was never just a label on a shelf. It was energy, people, and the fleeting joy of something alive in the glass.
Back in Omaha, James helped shape the wine culture at La Buvette, a beloved neighborhood café where the magic of wine often revealed itself in unexpected ways. One evening he poured for Debbie Reynolds — not as a celebrity, but as a guest who laughed, talked, and even joined in on the dishes. Another regular, filmmaker Alexander Payne, would later release Sideways; when the film premiered, James recognized his own familiar quips woven into its dialogue. These moments weren’t about fame, but about proof: wine attracts fascinating people, and James had a gift for turning every encounter into something memorable.
From Omaha to Palo Alto, James’s path carried him into the legendary Beltramo’s, one of the world’s most revered wine institutions. Surrounded by over 6,000 labels, he poured everything from everyday bottles to the rarest vintages for collectors whose names could never be spoken aloud. In Beltramo’s tasting room, he orchestrated events that stretched from artisanal beer to fine wine, from cheese pairings to spirits — versatility that sharpened his skill for creating experiences that entertained as much as they educated. It was also here that James first connected with emerging winemakers like Derek Rohlffs, forging friendships that reminded him that every bottle carries not just terroir, but people and story.
That foundation — origin moments, cultural encounters, rare vintages, winemaker collaborations — gave James the unique perspective he brings today. As an Advanced Sommelier and Stanford wine educator, he is known for weaving history, humor, and humanity into every tasting. His sessions are lively, interactive, and illuminating. Guests leave not only more knowledgeable, but more confident — tasting with fresh curiosity, seeing wine in a way they never have before.
Today, through JB Wine Services, James brings it all to the table: the discovery, the rigor, the stories, the rare pours, the laughter. Whether leading a private tasting, guiding a corporate team, or creating a custom pairing, James doesn’t just pour wine — he reveals it. And when you experience wine with him, it’s not just an evening. It’s something curated, informed, and unforgettable.
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We look forward to raising a glass with you.