Fred Dame: Sommelier Career History & Credential Verification
Fred Dame is a figure in the history of the American sommelier profession. Historical profiles associate him with the Master Sommelier exam and the expansion of the program into the United States. Those profiles should not be treated as proof of current credential standing.
Career timeline and sources
Section titled “Career timeline and sources”| Period | Historical detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1980s | Worked as cellar master at The Sardine Factory. | Michelin interview, January 9, 2019 |
| 1984 | Passed the Master Sommelier examination on his first attempt, according to that interview. | Michelin interview |
| 1987 | Helped bring the program to the United States. CMS-A dates its first exam outside the UK to Monterey in 1987. | CMS-A history |
Current standing: historical profiles are not verification
Section titled “Current standing: historical profiles are not verification”CMS-A published an investigation announcement stating that it had moved to terminate the membership of several individuals, including Fred Dame, pending a hearing. This announcement records that procedural step; it does not, by itself, establish a final outcome or his current status.
For current credential or membership decisions, contact CMS-A directly and consult its official directory and Sommelier Lookup. Absence from a directory alone does not identify the reason for omission. We checked these reference sources on October 21, 2026; this page does not certify current standing.
Why people search his name
Section titled “Why people search his name”People usually arrive at this query for one of three reasons:
| Search intent | What to check |
|---|---|
| Historical context | Read about the development of the American sommelier profession and the CMS-A path. |
| Credential verification | Use the current CMS-A directory rather than an old article. |
| Exam culture | Study the CMS path itself: theory, tasting, service, mentorship, pressure, and professionalism. |
How to use historical figures while studying
Section titled “How to use historical figures while studying”Historical figures can help you understand how the profession developed, but they should not become the center of your study plan. Your work is more practical: learn the sommelier levels, confirm current requirements, taste blind consistently, practice service, and build the judgment expected at your target level.
If a name appears in an older article, treat it as historical context first. Then verify current official status separately.
Related study pages
Section titled “Related study pages”- How Many Master Sommeliers Are There?
- List of Master Sommeliers
- Master Sommelier Meaning: What Is a Master Sommelier?
- Master Sommelier Exam