FIFTY-5 DEGREES STAFF
Our Team
"Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle".
~Paulo Coelho, Brida
Our Sommeliers
Michael Lang
Investor/Sommelier
- Joined the "Guild of Sommelier" in 1999 and have been a member in good standing ever since.
- Immersed in the wine industry as the sommelier and wine buyer at Harwigs/L'Apogee for over 21 years.
- Earned the Wine Spectators "Award of Excellence" for 38 years in a row.
- I began Fifty5 Degrees in 2006 as a "storage" facility for friends. I took sole ownership in 2016.
- Expanding the dream into a concierge service, private wine club.
- Studied wine all over the world with frequent trips to Europe and the wine country on the West Coast.
- Judged wine competitions, taught seminars at various festivals and also taught classes for future sommeliers.
AJ Fossum
Investor/Sommelier
- Started in the Hospitality/Restaurant Industry in 2001
- Passed Court of Master Sommeliers Level 1(Intro) in 2011
- Passed Court of Master Sommeliers Level 2(Certified) in 2015
- Has traveled to over thirty countries to experience firsthand the differences in culture, terrior and winemaking techniques.
- Owner of Ski Town Wine and Spirits since 2014
- Has helped/worked in several restaurants in town including Cottonwood Grill, Bistro C.V., Low Country Kitchen, Yama and Cloverdale.
- Invited to pair wines for the Bistro C.V. James Beard Foundation Dinner in 2016
- Has worked as a private contractor for Colorado distributors to better understand that part of the industry since 2016
- In 2012 I started local wine classes for aspiring industry professionals to help further their education and study for the Court of Master Sommelier Exams.
Andre Swanson
Wine Sherpa
- Born and raised in Madison Wisconsin, his love of the outdoor lifestyle and mountain culture brought him to Vail CO in 2008. Made the Move to Steamboat Springs in June of 2020...Finally!
- In the hospitality/food and beverage industry since he was legal to do so
- Fell in love with wine when he found it made food taste that much better
- Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers since 2012
- Wine Director at a number of restaurants including Game Creek in Vail and Sauvage in Steamboat Springs.
- Has also worked on the import/distribution side of the wine industry since 2014
- In his spare time enjoys mountain biking, golf and snowboarding
- Favorite grape varieties vary depending on the season, day of the week, time of the day.
Michael Peilet
Technical Advisor
- Analytics Developer
- Master Data Management
- Mentor, Partners of Routt County