What do you love most about working in the wine industry?

I love working in the wine industry for so many different reasons but mainly because there are endless opportunities to learn and educate. I love to help people in any way that I can, especially when it comes to wine. Wine can be so intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be! I love making wine approachable to every consumer and learning what draws them to a glass or bottle.

What is the best food and wine pairing you have ever had?

The BEST food and wine pairing that I have had… a loaded question! It is so hard to pick one, but if I MUST pick…. my FAVORITE pairing; Rosé Bubbles (Pinot Noir), slightly off dry and French Fries! Salt is a flavor enhancer which brings out the red fruit notes in sparkling Rosé.  Salty fries also enhance the body of the wine, smooths the acid but keeps the fruit flavors alive. This is one of the best pairings because it can be made in so many ways! 

The BEST pairing:  Oysters and Chablis (Chardonnay). Going back to the acid driven white wines – Chablis is the Chardonnay that stole my heart. The salty brine from the oysters intertwined with the crisp and refreshing apple, lemon and pear notes of the Chablis is to die for!

What is your first (or favorite) wine memory?

My favorite wine memory is not my first wine memory but one that happened only a few months into my journey in the wine world.  

I was eating lunch at a local restaurant in SoHo, NYC with my family on a warm, sunny summer day. My mom decided I should be the one to order wine for my family as the Sommelier approached our table. I looked over the menu and nothing had jumped out at me so, without hesitation, I asked, “Do you carry any Gavi di Gavi?”. The Sommelier took a step back, wrinkled his eyebrow and was surprised to hear that I was looking for a wine that wasn’t listed on their menu. He brought out a bottle of Gavi di Gavi for me to taste and my palate was forever changed. I gave the wine a taste and immediately started spouting tasting notes and words my family did not understand, but the Sommelier cracked a smile and was impressed. This crisp white wine, made from the Cortese grape in Gavi DOCG, had a beautiful acidity and balanced by a nutty undertone. I enjoyed this with one of the best prosciutto, burrata and mixed green salad of my life and never looked back. 

This is my favorite memory because it is the first time I felt confident ordering wine, I knew what I was talking about even though I was intimidated, but I made a perfect choice and I learned that high acid white wines are my go-to! I remember my mother telling me I would go far in this industry as she could see my love for wine as I swirled the glass of lemon colored wine in the sun. 

If you could live in any other wine growing region in the world, where would it be and why?

Mosel, Germany. I studied abroad in Germany and fell in love with the culture in the Mosel region. The approach to wine is very similar to what I stand by; a unique product that should be loved and shared with everyone. I was kindly invited into some of the best winemakers’ homes and got to enjoy wines older than myself! The community is very humble and down to earth but takes great pride in the history of winemaking in Germany. 

What do you love most about Dobbes club members?

The Dobbes Family Circle is just that – a family! The fact that everyone truly feels like family and getting to know so much about each one of you. I love being able to share special events and moments with our members via zoom, the tasting room or even over the phone. I love chatting with our members about wines they have recently had, food pairings they have enjoyed and even trips that they have taken! We are a tight knit community and my job would not be the same without our wonderful members. 

Fun fact about you that you’d like people to know?

1 – I am a 3x nationally ranked gymnast – that’s a fun fact! 

2 – When I started to study wine, I didn’t even like wine!  I loved the idea of learning and continuing my education forever. They make wine EVERYWHERE and it is impossible to know everything about every single growing region, soil type, climate pattern, winemaking procedures, grapes, languages etc.