Eric Faber - President / COO
Eric Faber
(513) 490-5359
eric@cuttingedgeselections.com
President / COO
a QUICK BIO…
Beginning his career at a small wine shop in the Cincinnati suburbs, Faber quickly immersed himself in the world of wine. This dedication quickly led to a move into hospitality as the Wine Director at the award winning La Poste Eatery in Cincinnati where he earned accolades as one of the top young Sommeliers in the nation, receiving awards from the Guild of Sommeliers and The Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Following a couple years running wine programs in Chicago (and beyond) Faber was offered the opportunity to move home and take a sales position with Cutting Edge. He was elevated to General Manager in 2016 following the unexpected passing of company founder, wine industry pioneer and mentor Mark Maher then further promoted to President and COO in 2020. In this role, he oversees the day to day operations of the entire company as well as maintaining oversight over the direction of the Cutting Edge portfolio. Along with Cutting Edge CEO Steve Maher, Faber has continued the legacy of building one of the most respected wine distribution companies in the country and shepherding the company forward to new heights.
As one of the leaders and most visible faces of the movement against potentially industry-shattering tariffs proposed on wine in 2020, Eric Faber worked closely with the International Trade Commission, members of Congress, and the US Trade Representative to roll back a 25% increase on import taxes and prevent a 100% tax on imported sparkling wines. He additionally worked with Congress and many local restaurant leaders to advocate for restaurant and hospitality employee relief during the Covid-19 pandemic. His role in lobbying and as a spokesperson against tariffs and as an advocate for all levels of the industry has continued.
Faber is an Advanced Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers and through his work on tariffs and restaurant relief as well his expertise on the industry has made appearances or been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business News, CNN, the BBC, Wine Spectator and Food & Wine along with many other publications and is considered an industry leader on the fight to improve the standing of the wine and restaurant industries in the US. In 2023, he was named an inaugural winner of the WSWA ‘Movers and Shakers’ award by his peers as one of the top young executives in the wine and beverage industry, and was the only winner working for an independent family-owned distributor. On top of his work at Cutting Edge, Faber remains active in the policy side of the industry as a member of the Wine Advisory Council of the WBWAO and has worked as a consultant for other family-owned distributors around the US.
GET TO KNOW THE PRESIDENT!
First Vintage with Cutting Edge?
2014
What made you want to work for CES?
Mark Maher. I always looked up to him for the way he built the portfolio and the way he treated people. Working for him gave me the opportunity to sell an amazing portfolio of wines I care deeply about and work alongside some of the best people in the industry.
What is your favorite wine region? What do you love about it?
Alsace. Such amazing wines that most people overlook. The region and diverse soils produce wines that I believe to be the most balanced in the world. It doesn’t hurt that my heritage is Alsatian on both side of my family, that its one of my favorite places in the world to visit, and that I love the food!
WHAT do you like to do outside of wine?
My job doesn’t leave a lot of time to pursue all the hobbies I’ve been into over the years, but I still always have time to go for long walks and hikes with our Chief Morale Pawficer, Miska, my amazing, loving, and incredibly stubborn Alaskan Malamute! I also like gardening with my wife and am trying to get into wood working (emphasize ‘trying’).
What is your favorite book?
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I've read it so many times, but each time take something different from it. I love the way Douglas Adams looks at the absurdity of everything.
If you could share a bottle of your favorite wine with any person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Thomas Jefferson. One, he was one of the early wine connoisseurs in America and is well known for his collection and the insanely detailed notes he took about everything he tasted and purchased. Beyond wine, I think it would be a lot of fun to drink with one of the architects of our republic and see what they really intended….
what is the title of your memoir?
‘Life on the Edge’
what is the most random fact about you?
I have a malamute because I fell in love with them while training sled dogs to run the Iditarod in my adventurous youth…
What was your A-Ha moment at Cutting Edge?
The first time I went out with Mark. I had never met anyone so knowledgeable and regarded so highly by people I knew that was also so generous with his time and advice. I told my mom the next day that I wanted to work for him one day. It took a few years, but without that AHA moment of what type of person he was I don’t believe I would be where I am today.