CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro, the spot renowned for its sommelier-curated wine lists and delicious modern American cuisine, is getting ready for a huge next chapter. The company just appointed a sharp new Board of Directors loaded with industry veterans and certified experts to guide its national expansion and brand evolution.
The restructured team blends decades of institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives, guaranteeing that the CRÚ experience remains top-tier while the company scales up.
“Our new board members have been with the team since the very beginning,” said Patrick Colombo, founder and CEO of CRÚ. “Blending that legacy experience with expertise and perspective strengthens our foundation and ensures we continue to evolve. We’re honoring the roots that built CRÚ while embracing new ideas and innovation that will define its future.”
Experts Leading the Experience
The expanded leadership team reads like an all-star roster of hospitality professionals:
Noel Petrin (Director of Procurement and Training): A Certified Specialist of Wine who helped open the first CRÚ back in 2002. He literally oversees the acclaimed wine program and operations!
Foster Smith (Director of All Operations): Bringing 40 years of hospitality wisdom (including stints in New Orleans, New York, and Atlanta), this Certified Sommelier ensures the dining experience is truly memorable.
Jim Oetting (Senior Culinary Director): A James Beard House alumnus and culinary expert focused on keeping the menu consistently creative and delicious across all locations.
Lina Street (Director of Events and Catering): Another founding member of the CRÚ team, she drives growth by building catering and events programs nationwide.
Investing in Wine Wisdom
The commitment to expertise isn’t just at the top; it’s going all the way down to the floor. CRÚ is launching Wine University, a new internal education program designed to seriously boost wine knowledge, service standards, and team development across every single location. This is a clear sign that CRÚ is investing in its people to guarantee you always receive that signature high-end experience.
“At the heart of CRÚ’s success are its people,” said Simon Bozas, CFO of CRÚ. “By investing in training and education, we’re not only elevating our team’s expertise but ensuring that every guest interaction reflects our passion for wine, hospitality and connection.”
With 10 locations already running across four states, CRÚ is poised for accelerated growth. Backed by this new leadership, the brand is set to begin its major expansion in 2026 with new openings slated for key markets like Atlanta, Dallas, and beyond.
For more information about CRÚ and upcoming developments, visit CRUWineBar.com.