From the Boardroom to the Classroom: Why I Became a Sommelier

My path to becoming a sommelier didn't start in Napa or Burgundy. It started in a corner office at a PR agency in New York.

A Friday Ritual That Changed Everything

It was 2011, and my manager had a Friday ritual. She'd have us close up shop an hour early, send one of us to a wine shop to pick up a specific bottle, and then gather us in her office for a tasting. She'd walk us through the wine. Where it came from, how it was made, what made it special.

A Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley became my go-to, and I grew more curious about wine.

Wine Kept Showing Up

As I continued in my career as a public relations executive, I found myself in spaces where wine was the centerpiece of socialization and networking. I was grateful for those Friday evening tastings. They'd given me a foundation I didn't know I needed.

In my travels, I started seeking out vineyards and tasting rooms for both the experience and opportunity to learn. To understand the vintages, the regions, the craft of winemaking. It was all so fascinating to me.

And in 2024, as I began to approach a new life chapter, I made a decision that would take me on a journey away from a life that I had proudly built, to fulfill a purpose that had been waiting for me.

When Gratitude Isn’t Enough

As I reflect on nearly 20 years in public relations, I'm filled with gratitude. I learned from some of the best in the business, worked on incredible brand campaigns, and had experiences I could only dream of as a girl from P.G. County, MD. But gratitude and fulfillment are not always the same thing.

I knew it was time to pursue the passion that had been growing in me for years. Just like wine found me in that corner office, it was calling on me again. This time, to take a chance and bet on myself.

Taking a Leap of Faith

So, I left corporate America. I enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education sommelier intensive program, completed two hundred hours of in-classroom training, earned a certificate from the institution and the Court of Master Sommeliers, and took the leap.

Now, I am building the Wine Culture Club from the ground up. A community of wine enthusiasts rooted in culture, lifestyle, and education. And I would love for you to join me.

This is where the journey begins.

XO,

Jess