About me
Sebastian began his career in wine in 2003–2004 as the opening sommelier at Komi in Washington, DC. Early on, he developed a strong interest not just in service, but in the culture, history, and craft behind wine, setting the foundation for everything that followed.
In August 2006, he moved to Sonoma, California, where he spent a year working alongside several winemakers during the 2006–2007 harvest. This hands-on experience in both vineyard and cellar work gave him a deeper understanding of the process and proved to be a defining moment in his path. He returned to DC in mid-2007 to become head sommelier at Proof, where he continued to grow under the mentorship of collector Mark Kuller.
In 2013, Sebastian co-opened The Red Hen, marking a shift from service into production. Around this time, he began making wine, collaborating with Ben Jordan on a Syrah rosé for the restaurant. What started as a small project gradually evolved into Lightwell Survey, laying the groundwork for a more serious and focused winemaking effort.
In 2014, his brother Jayson joined as majority partner, alongside John and Julian, forming the core of Lightwell Survey as it exists today. Sebastian remains active in the restaurant world, running Primrose in Northeast DC, while also balancing life as a father of four—a combination that keeps both his personal and professional life full.
