Signature Wine Experiences by James De Smet-Bacon
Wine Educator | Advanced Sommelier
Curated. Informed. Unforgettable.
Welcome to JB Wine Services
Signature Experiences, Unforgettable Moments
James De Smet-Bacon doesn’t just pour wine — he unlocks it. Every session is a blend of storytelling, sensory discovery, and hands-on learning designed to change the way you experience what’s in your glass.
Whether guiding you through a blind tasting, demystifying regions and varietals, or pairing oysters with Muscadet and chocolate with Pinot, James turns tasting into transformation. His approach blends confidence-building education with a lighthearted, interactive style that makes every guest feel part of the conversation.
From intimate private tastings and engaging corporate events, to pairings designed for discovery, and cellar consulting, JB Wine Services is where curiosity meets expertise — and where every glass tells a story.
This isn’t just a wine tasting. It’s an experience you’ll remember long after the last sip.
Every Journey has a First Pour
It began far from Phoenix — at a trestle table in Brittany, France, where James was about to try oysters for the first time. Seagulls swirled noisily above, boats bobbed in the harbor, and the air carried a mingling of diesel, seaweed, and salt. The oysters, just pulled from the sea, were paired with a glass of Muscadet — a wine James had once dismissed as cheap plonk back in England. Au contraire! Here, on its home turf, the Muscadet came alive: light, bright, and subtly fruity, a perfect match for the briny oyster. The moment was raw and pure, and it lit a spark.
That first pour became the beginning of a lifelong journey — one that would take James from Brittany to Stanford, through cellars, tastings, and classrooms around the world. Today, he brings that same sense of discovery and wonder to every JB Wine Services experience.
Meet James
James De Smet-Bacon is the storyteller and sommelier behind JB Wine Services. Advanced Sommelier and Stanford wine educator, James is known for blending history, humor, and hands-on discovery into every tasting. From his first unforgettable pour in Brittany, France, to years immersed in some of the world’s most respected wine institutions, his journey has been shaped by curiosity, rigor, and connection.
Today, James brings that depth of experience to every guest — whether guiding a private dinner, sparking collaboration in a corporate tasting, or crafting pairings that surprise and delight. With James, wine isn’t simply poured. It’s revealed.
“We've repeatedly (six times so far!) hired James to curate and run private tasting events for friends and colleagues. A loyal and passionate following has enjoyed impeccably planned events ranging from a fascinating alcohol and cheese pairing event to an ale tasting featuring 29 different styles of ale to a Graham's port tasting so innovative it caught the attention of the Symington family and Adrian Bridge all the way back in Portugal. James' breadth of alcohol and cheese knowledge is only rivaled by his understanding of how to select the perfect bottle for your unique taste buds and price range. For the most informative and entertaining night of your life, just ask James to plan you an event. You will not be disappointed.” Ryan A.C. - Google
What Guests are Saying…
“James crafted unparalleled tasting experiences that allowed novices and enthusiast alike to dive hard first into the depths of the grape and beyond. From explorations in Malbecs to an examination of Lustau Sherries, and even a broad tasting of fine alcohols and cheeses, these tastings sparked delight, passion, conversation, and devotions that have lasted years beyond the tasting.” Bridget M. - Theater Under the Stars