Sommelier Brad Ball of Social Wine Bar - Biography

Not all delivery boys find their way to the world of fine food and wine. But for Sommelier Brad Ball, an early job delivering for his family’s restaurant, Poogan’s Porch, proved pivotal, instilling a deep sense of hospitality at a young age. And he didn’t stop at deliveries. After graduating from college with a major in philosophy, Ball worked his way through every restaurant position he could—all the way up to a general manager position—at which point he took the opportunity to expand the restaurant’s wine program.

Ball furthered both his career and résumé with coursework at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. While studying, Ball took advantage of the city’s culinary playground, interning at several high-profile restaurants including Jean-Georges, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and Aquavit, where he assisted with the wine program.

Moving back home to Charleston, and enamored of the beverage side of things, Ball took action, receiving his Certified Sommelier status from the Court of Master Sommeliers and laying the groundwork for what would eventually became Social Restaurant + Wine Bar.  He didn’t stop there.  Ball earned his Diploma of Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust while developing his wine bar. He also launched an online wine retailer, Wine Awesomeness, in 2012 and received his Advanced Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2012—proving he can more than deliver on his passions.