Luke Kenning — Wine Director

As wine director, Luke Kenning brings his passion and knowledge to Farallon's award winning wine program.

Raised in Inverness, a small California coastal community, Luke cultivated a knack for using local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients as part of everyday life. As a child, evenings were spent playing sous chef to his father. Enjoying family moments like this shaped his desire to serve for others' special evenings.

At 17, Luke began his restaurant career as a busboy at the renowned Lark Creek Inn in Marin County. After eight years with the restaurant, he was promoted from the kitchen to the main show as a server. As the youngest server in the restaurant's history, Luke was daunted with the task of polishing his skills amongst some of the best and most seasoned professionals. Frequent weekend getaways to majestic places in Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Valley helped him relax while honing his knowledge of wine. Luke then traveled around Europe, which solidified his desire to work in the world of wine. Accredited by The Guild of Master Sommeliers, he became a certified sommelier.

Luke began working for Farallon Restaurant in 2005. During this time, he has been privileged to taste alongside some of the best wine palates in the country. Luke has simultaneously been mentored by Jennifer Knowles, wine director for The Inn at Little Washington. These experiences have reaffirmed Luke's philosophies of personable, friendly, and caring service while continuing the legacy of excellence at Farallon Restaurant.

Luke spends time outside of work assisting with private cellars and participating in tasting panels for SF Chronicle. When he's is not hiking the hills of Marin County, playing golf, or tennis, Luke is scuba diving around the globe, searching for the best reefs in the world.