SVP of Operations

Alessio de Sensi was born in Rome, near St. Peter’s Square, and spends part of each year in Maremma Toscana, where he participated in his first harvest at six. He developed interests in music and hospitality, studied music, and would eventually write songs for artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. Alessio cultivated skills and a passion for hospitality already in his late teens. After earning a degree at The George Eastman Institute in Rome, he moved to Beverly Hills, where he managed a cafe and was recruited by Robert De Niro and Agostino Sciandri to join Ago in West Hollywood as maître d’ at its opening. He later became the general manager at Toscana in Brentwood. He completed the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS) program—the only AIS course ever taught in the United States.

In 2008, de Sensi moved to New York to help open Locanda Verde at Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel, followed by Minetta Tavern for Keith McNally—two New York Times three-star restaurants. With McNally, he later led wine programs at Balthazar, Pastis, and Morandi. As general manager and vice president of operations, he helped launch Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar, earning the position with De Niro’s strong recommendation. During three years with RL Hospitality, he oversaw operations across RL locations, including RL Restaurant in Chicago and Ralph’s in Paris. In 2016, he moved to London to open Ralph’s Coffee and Bar. He subsequently led two fashion-related ventures in New York—10 Corso Como and L’Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue.

In 2019, de Sensi joined LDV as general manager and wine director of Scarpetta’s New York flagship. His ongoing passion for hospitality and wine also fuels VinVivoByAlessio, a wine-education brand he runs in partnership with LDV, where he serves as senior vice president of operations.