Meet the
TIERNO
TEAM
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Andrew Salamida 's passion for wine first deepened during college at Cornell University, where he took a wine course that sparked his interest in the stories behind small producers and the craftsmanship that goes into each bottle. This inspired his vision to bring small-production, sustainable wines to the U.S., championing terroir, artisan craftsmanship, and the stories of passionate, family-run producers.
His passion grew during his travels across the world’s finest wine regions. While discovering small producers with exceptional wines, Andrew realized that these high-quality, limited-production wines were often unavailable in the U.S. market. With training through the Court of Master Sommeliers and membership in La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Andrew’s expertise and global perspective shape Tierno Wine Merchants’ vision of connecting wine lovers with the world’s best and unique wines.
aNDREW SALAMIDA
Founder + CEO
Max Tierno
Partner + Portfolio Director
Max Tierno is a born and bred New Yorker whose life in hospitality began at the age of 16. That first restaurant job sparked a lifelong obsession with wine, service and hospitality that has seen him work his way up through every position in the industry across various restaurants throughout New York City. While he moved to Montreal to attend McGill University, where he earned a degree in finance and led the baseball team to a 2010 National Championship as MVP, his heart remained in the cellar. After returning to New York, Max honed his craft under the mentorship of Laura Maniec MS at Corkbuzz and eventually achieved his Advanced Sommelier certification in 2018. His journey has taken him from the 3-Michelin-star precision of Eleven Madison Park to his current role as General Manager of Anton’s in the West Village. This deep operational background, combined with his winemaking project, Valtierro, in Southern Peru, allows Max to lead Tierno Wine Merchants with a perspective rooted in the reality of the restaurant floor. Beyond the world of wine, Max remains fueled by the energy of the city, whether he's on the basketball court, hunting for the best local hot sauce, or cheering on the Met's from the stands.
