San Francisco sommelier, teacher, writer and mentor to be celebrated at the 49th annual auction benefiting Bay Area children in need — September 19 at The Palace Hotel
Tonya Pitts
August 25, 2026 (San Francisco, CA) — The Guardsmen announced that acclaimed sommelier Tonya Pitts has been named Sommelier of the Year for the 49th annual San Francisco Wine Auction. The auction takes place September 19, 2026, at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco, with proceeds supporting at-risk Bay Area youth.
In naming Pitts Sommelier of the Year, The Guardsmen recognized a wine professional who puts people first. As a sommelier at One Market, Pitts meets guests where they are — demystifying wine and making fine dining feel welcoming and accessible. As Wine Reviewer and Writer at Large for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, she champions producers and regions that don’t always get the spotlight, drawing on a broad palate that reflects both classical grounding and genuine discovery.
Most of all, she is a teacher and a mentor. Pitts has devoted herself to helping others — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds — build careers and confidence in wine, opening doors in a field that has not always been easy to enter.
“It is very important to me to continue to be a storyteller for the world of wine, the people in it, and fuel the curiosity of many.”
Tonya Pitts, Sommelier, One Market Restaurant and Wine Reviewer and Writer at Large for Wine Enthusiast Magazine
The Sommelier of the Year distinction honors a wine professional whose work and generosity advance both the craft of wine and the mission of The Guardsmen.
“Tonya is everything you could want in a sommelier. She combines extraordinary wine knowledge with genuine charm and, most importantly, an instinctive empathy for her guests. She cares for wine almost as much as for her guests, and that passion is infectious. Tanya is that rare professional who doesn’t just make the wine or the experience better. She makes you feel better about yourself simply for being there.”
Hal Davis, Chair, Nominating Committee of the San Francisco Wine Auction
The San Francisco Wine Auction is a signature fundraising event of The Guardsmen, helping to find over 200 scholarships and over 2000 campership programs for children in need from the Bay Area each year.
“Each year, The Guardsmen selects a major theme for the year, and our theme for this year is to ‘Elevate Others.’ This year’s Sommelier of the Year does exactly that by mentoring others and making wine accessible to countless patrons.”
Mike Darby, President, The Guardsmen
Now in its 49th year, the San Francisco Wine Auction gathers more than 300 collectors and philanthropists for an evening of rare wine and exceptional lots. Online bidding opens September 14–21, with the in-person event beginning at 5:00 p.m. on September 19 with a silent auction and tasting, followed by dinner and the live auction at 7:15 p.m. and the After-Glow celebration at 9:00 p.m. The 2025 auction raised more than $800,000 for The Guardsmen’s programs.
About the San Francisco Wine Auction
The San Francisco Wine Auction is the signature annual fundraising event of The Guardsmen. Held each September at The Palace Hotel, it brings together collectors, vintners, and philanthropists for an evening of rare wine and exceptional lots in support of at-risk Bay Area youth. The 2025 auction raised more than $800,000.
About The Guardsmen
Since 1947, The Guardsmen has opened doors for at-risk Bay Area youth. Entirely volunteer-run, the organization sends underserved local children to summer camp and supports their education through K–12 scholarships — sending more than 2,000 kids to camp and programs each year and awarding over 200 K–12 scholarships. The Guardsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID 94-1196194).