Craig Sindelar Head Sommelier At Alinea since opening day and appointed Head Sommelier in August, 2006, Craig Sindelar brings international, Michelin star experience to the Alinea dining rooms. Born in Wisconsin and raised in Nevada, Sindelar spent several years working in fine dining restaurants in Florida, Nevada, and Mississippi. In 1998, he moved to Marbella, Spain and was one of 16 individuals selected by the Spanish Ministry of Work and Social Subjects to enroll in the Sommelier program of the Hotel-School Bellamar. There he received his Sommelier Certificate with Top Honors. Sindelar spent five years in Spain, working first as the Assistant Manager at Hotel Castelar in Santander and later as Sommelier at Michelin two-star restaurant Akalare in San Sebastian. Returning to Chicago in 2004, he was on the opening team for Pluton restaurant and served as Manager and Sommelier there until the opening of Alinea in May, 2005. Sindelar maintains a tremendously approachable style of service for Alinea’s patrons while overseeing the sommelier staff and working as a service leader.