Short bio
Stefanie was raised in the suburb of Port St. John, Florida playing soccer and enjoying swimming in pools and the ocean. While studying Food Service Management at Johnson & Wales University, she was introduced to wine and moved to New York City after graduation to become a sommelier. While working in some top NYC restaurants, Stefanie obtained an MBA from Sonoma State University.
Along with a passion for sharing a glass of wine, Stefanie practices yoga daily and is an avid rock climber and hiker. Her greatest adventure accomplishment to date is hiking the Inca Trail.
Where have you lived?
Cocoa, Florida. Charlotte, North Carolina. Brooklyn, New York
First Car
Toyota Camry
How did you start in the wine business?
As a retail associate at a now closed wine store in Chelsea, and then as a Tasting Coordinator for Wine Spectator. But my current trajectory didn’t start until returning to restaurants and working as a floor sommelier in 2013, at the now closed Aureole.
Best concerts of your life
Tycho performing at sunrise at Burning Man.
After tasting wine all day, I want to drink a…
Sazerac or sour beer. I’ve been enjoying Victory Berry Monkey lately.
After staring at a computer all day I want to drink a…
Glass of water and something sparkling.
What puts the biggest smiles on your face?
Books, hiking, climbing, people, and accomplishing goals.
Fantastic wine experience
On a flight back from hiking in Arizona, the flight attendant noticed I was watching anime on my iPad and snuck me a couple bottles of wine.
Last bottle of wine of wine you ever want to drink
Birth vintage Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Todonia Blanco.
While on the wine route I love to…
Pay attention to the street art and architecture. This is such a busy city, sometimes we forget to look and appreciate the bits of beauty all around.
Favorite vacation spot
In broad strokes, mountains, or desert. Somewhere I can hike and/or climb and be disconnected from the internet.
Favorite cheese
Gruyere.
Great food & wine pairing
Sinigang with off-dry Riesling or Cotes du Rhone.
If you won the lottery…
I’d get a house with a small yard near a crag and converted sprinter van for travel.
