Mystic’s Jade Ayala named Drinks Professional of the Year by VinePair

Pouring creativity into every glass, Jade Ayala, Beverage Director at The Port of Call and Oyster Club in Mystic, CT, has been named Drinks Professional of the Year in VinePair's 2026 Next Wave Awards. Her farm-inspired, seasonal, culinary-minded approach helps define Mystic's drinks scene. The Port of Call was a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages, adding to the acclaim for Mystic, named America's Best Small Food Town by Travel + Leisure in 2026. — Pouring creativity into every glass, Jade Ayala, Beverage Director at The Port of Call and Oyster Club in Mystic, CT, has been named Drinks Professional of the Year in VinePair’s 2026 Next Wave Awards. Her farm-inspired, seasonal, culinary-minded approach helps define Mystic’s drinks scene. The Port of Call was a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages, adding to the acclaim for Mystic, named America’s Best Small Food Town by Travel + Leisure in 2026.

Jade Ayala, beverage director at The Port of Call and Oyster Club in Mystic, has been named Drinks Professional of the Year in VinePair’s 2026 Next Wave Awards. The awards recognize leading figures in contemporary drinks culture.

The Drinks Professional of the Year distinction honors Ayala’s influence beyond the bar. It places her among the industry’s leading tastemakers.

The win adds to a notable year for Ayala and The Port of Call. The restaurant was also named a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages. Travel + Leisure named Mystic the Best Small Food Town in America this year.

The Port of Call and Oyster Club are both part of Mystic’s 85th Day Food Community. Ayala works closely with the culinary team and draws on local farms, seasonal ingredients and unexpected techniques. She builds cocktails with the same attention to flavor, texture and balance that goes into a dish.

Her work has helped shape The Port of Call’s identity since it opened in 2022. The bar has also earned a place on Esquire’s Best Bars in America list.

“I love the moment when someone tries a drink and discovers a flavor they weren’t expecting, or experiences a familiar ingredient in a completely different way,” Ayala said. “Being recognized by VinePair is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful to work with a team that gives us the freedom to experiment, learn from one another and keep creating.”

Dan Meiser, founder of 85th Day Food Community, praised her palate and her curiosity about what an ingredient can do. “She makes the team around her better,” Meiser said.

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Mystic’s Jade Ayala named Drinks Professional of the Year by VinePair