Inside the Wine Bar at MOLLIE
A Conversation with MOLLIE Sommelier, Derek Reijmer
In honor of the opening of the Wine Bar at MOLLIE, we sat down with our lead sommelier, Derek, to talk about his journey into wine, what inspires our list, and what guests can expect from the experience.
Enter Into the World of Wine
Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Derek moved to Chicago at twenty-one to study acoustics at Columbia College. His path into wine wasn’t immediate, but once he discovered his passion for it, he never looked back.
“I worked summers at the Iroquois Hotel on Mackinac Island,” he shares. “It was the first place that really emphasized wine as part of the meal.” There he started learning about the California region, specifically the grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet. With friendly competition among servers to sell the most expensive bottle of the night, his curiosity was sparked which led to further education. But more importantly, wine gave Derek something deeper: purpose.
It wasn’t until age thirty that he traveled abroad for the first time, and he feels that wine pushed him to do that. “Derek, you need to take that four thousand dollars you saved this winter in Vail and piss it all away in France. You need to meet these people, absorb their history, trudge their vineyards with them, drink their wines with them AND sleep on foreigners’ couches to do it.” he said to himself. “That trip changed my life.”
A Career Built in Wine
Derek earned his Advanced Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2017, the third of four levels. He began this process in 2011 and his goal is to eventually join the coveted crew of Master Sommeliers. His advice to aspiring sommeliers is to take your time.
Now entering his eighth winter in Aspen, Derek has also spent time in San Francisco working in national sales for Peay Vineyards, a pioneering producer on the West Sonoma Coast. “Like anyone who’s lived here knows,” he says, “Aspen is hard to leave and the Ute curse eventually lured me back.”
The Vision Behind the Wine Bar at MOLLIE
The foundation of the wine program at Petit Trois and the Wine Bar at MOLLIE was created by Master Sommeliers Dustin Wilson and Sabato Sagaria, both with strong Aspen ties. The goal was simple: focus on France and California, regions closely connected to Chef Ludo, while keeping the list approachable.
“The wine bar is an extension of what we’ve built at Petit Trois,” Derek explains. “It’s intimate, unpretentious, and welcoming. I love talking about wine no matter the price point. We’re trying to create a space that helps us share our love and our enthusiasm for the things that have brought meaning to our lives.”
By The Glass & Beyond
Guests can expect a bistro-style by-the-glass list that leans French, while also highlighting American wines that challenge expectations. Known locally as “Domestic Derek,” he proudly champions California producers and isn’t afraid to open something special.
“On any given night, I might pour a 1986 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard by the glass,” he says.
One standout feature? Many wines from the bistro list are available by the half-bottle, offering guests more freedom to explore.
The Handwritten Reserve List
This is where Derek really has fun. The handwritten reserve list features rare, old and exceptional wines in limited quantities which are priced to be enjoyed, not stored away.
“Our goal is to sell these wines,” he says. “I’ve already had to rewrite the list three times.”
Guests can expect 25–35 legendary bottles from Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Northern Rhône, and Napa, with prices ranging from a 1996 Charles Joguet Chinon at $295 to a 1988 Armand Rousseau Clos Saint-Jacques at $3,595.
Why the Wine Bar at MOLLIE
At its core, the Wine Bar at MOLLIE is about accessibility, enthusiasm, and connection. It’s a place for conversation, discovery, and genuinely great bottles, while being served without pretense.
“This is just the beginning,” Derek says. “There’s so much more to come.”
For more information on the Wine Bar at MOLLIE, view our website here.
