Since the inception of the Court of Master Sommeliers in 1969, 172 American professionals have earned the title of master sommelier. The grueling, intensive process to earn that title means the prestigious nonprofit organization has served as a gatekeeper for wine’s high-flying elite class for decades.

The organization has received accolades for increasing the professionalism of wine service in high-end restaurants, but it has also been criticized for its lack of diversity. Of the 172 master sommeliers in America, 144 are men and 28 are women. Douglas Kim, the newly appointed wine director at MGM Resorts, said there are approximately 10 master sommeliers who are Asian and three of them are Korean.