Mario Ortiz
General Manager & Wine Buyer

In 2002, Mario Ortiz was promoted from special events director and wine buyer to general manager.

Ortiz has worked for The Firehouse for over 36 years. In 1971 at age 16 he applied for a part-time job at the restaurant as a busboy. Since then he’s moved up the ranks, taking on new challenges.

“Over the years I’ve had just about every job at The Firehouse you can think of,” Ortiz said.

Today Ortiz is a highly respected wine expert, and has developed the Sacramento Valley’s most impressive wine cellar, with more than 750 selections and 16,000 bottles of wine. Ortiz has also developed The Firehouse Vault, a magnificent list of very rare Californian and European wines for discriminating wine lovers in search of hard-to-find labels.

Ortiz has successfully passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Course Examination. He is continuing his wine education and is planning to take the Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier Examination this year.

As general manager, Ortiz is responsible for ensuring The Firehouse continues to enhance its reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the region.