Paul Carayas has been with Mountain View, California-based one Michelin-starred restaurant Chez TJ for the last four years. In this time and under his leadership the restaurant has maintained the ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ from Wine Spectator since 2016. 

Carayas tries to include different wines from all over the globe when looking for wines for the Chez TJ wine program, giving his guests something different to enjoy. Although he does appreciate large wine houses, he tends to look for more boutique winemakers that have more obscure wines. 

Paul Carayas is a Wine Director and Sommelier and has had a career in hospitality for over twenty years. In this time, he has worked in the wine industry for over ten years and worked with multiple wine programs across the peninsula. 

A native New Yorker, he has lived all over the United States. His passion for wine began while he was living in Santa Barbara in his twenties. After this, Carayas was mentored by a sommelier who helped him develop his skills. This mentorship allowed Carayas to dive into the wine industry and become the excellent sommelier he is today. 

Paul Carayas aims to showcase extraordinary wine producers that are typically difficult to find, allowing Chez TJ guests to experience new wines at each visit. Carayas is also a Certified Sherry Specialist and the USA and North America’s first and only Certified Madeira Wine Educator via IVBAM.

Read his recent story on Mastering the Love of Wine, Sherry, and Madeira.