Each year Missouri Wines hosts the annual Governor’s Cup Wine Competition in July. This is where wineries who chose to enter compete for the bestowed Governor’s Cup award. All wines will be awarded medals by elite judges from around the country. Meet one of this year’s judges: Andrey Ivanov, Master Sommelier! 

Andrey Ivanov is the President & CEO of Bliss Wine Imports, a Master Sommelier, and seasoned wine industry leader with over a decade of experience in top restaurants and wine programs across the U.S. and Mexico. 

Originally from Yakutsk, Siberia, Andrey immigrated to the U.S. in 1992 and earned a BSBA in International Business, Economics, and Russian Studies from Saint Louis University.

His career began in St. Louis at acclaimed establishments such as Brasserie by Niche and Elaia & Olio, (2014 & 2015 Wine Enthusiast “Top 100 Wine Restaurants in America” awards). As Executive Beverage Director at Reeds American Table, he continued this success, securing the consecutive streak of Wine Enthusiast’s same awards in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Andrey moved to San Francisco, leading the wine team at Lazy Bear, a Two Michelin Star restaurant under his direction. Lazy Bear received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, a James Beard Wine Service nomination, and was recognized for the World’s Best Designed Wine List in North America (2022). 

Beyond restaurants, Andrey co-founded Bliss Wine Imports in 2015 and became owner of the U.S. based company in 2022 as President & CEO. He oversees wholesale distribution in the U.S. and Mexico, continuously sourcing exceptional wines worldwide. Andrey achieved the prestigious Master Sommelier title in 2018, one of fewer than 300 individuals worldwide to do so. He holds multiple national and international sommelier competition titles, including Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Best New Sommelier, Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers” and Food & Wine’s “Top Sommeliers of the Year”.

Now based in Mexico City—the only Master Sommelier in Mexico—Andrey continues to shape the future of fine wine and hospitality while also serving as Beverage Director of Nisei (One Michelin Star) in San Francisco.

We could not be happier to have his talents at this year’s Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition. Stay tuned for the results here soon!