Toast Without the Tipple: Sommelier Abe Zarate on Wine Culture, Sobriety, and Why Noughty Is His AF Go-To

In a world where wine culture often revolves around what’s in your glass, New York’s famed sommelier Abe Zarate is championing a refreshing redefinition of that experience.

Known in industry and social media circles as @sober_somm, Abe has built a respected career across some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants while embracing sobriety, not as a limitation, but as a new way to engage with wine culture.

In the latest edition of Wine Spectator, Abe explains how he still lives and breathes wine, even if he doesn’t drink alcohol anymore.

For Abe, sobriety doesn’t equal avoiding wine altogether. Rather, it’s about reframing his relationship with alcohol. He no longer ingests alcohol, but he tastes and engages with wine every day, spitting as part of professional tastings and remaining deeply connected with wine’s stories, sensations, and cultural significance. This “sustainable lifestyle” approach allows him to stay fully present in the industry without losing his identity or his love for wine.

In his view, wine isn’t just about alcohol, it’s about community, storytelling, and shared experiences. And that’s where non-alcoholic options like Noughty come into play.

Abe’s journey also speaks to a growing trend, whether it’s for health, personal preference, or lifestyle balance, many wine lovers are reassessing how they drink. Sobriety, moderation, or conscious consumption doesn’t mean missing out on the joys wine has to offer. Instead, it expands what wine culture can be.

His advice? Define your boundaries, build supportive communities, and stay curious about what wine means to you beyond just what it contains. Experiment with AF options and find those that delight your palate and your purpose.