Posted May 2022
Winemaking is a centuries-old art that many take for granted. With so many options, it’s easy to lose sight of the craftsmanship and passion that go into each bottle. In celebration of National Wine Day, which falls on May 25, four alumni from the Metropolitan College’s Wine Studies Program shared some insights and recommendations with us!
Audrey Skinner (MET’14) is a Gastronomical Chemist and the founder of Imbibe Solutions, a Charlottesville, VA-based laboratory that uses chemistry and microbiology to perform analysis and quality control testing for wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Imbibe is the perfect combination of Audrey’s passions for wine and science, and she told us that her favorite aspect of her job is “watching the industry grow and improve as it embraces scientific input.” Her work has helped her foster relationships with winemakers across the country, and when asked, she told us that her favorite vineyards are ones that she gets to work with directly.
Audrey’s wine recommendation:
2018 Von Dog from Lone Madrone—a highly rated, rich California Red from Paso Robles.
Katie Dolph Shrout (MET’12) is the Senior Brand Manager for Kobrand, an importer and marker of 77 different brands of wines and spirits. Katie finds inspiration in a “mix of creativity, philosophy, science, nature, and business” in the wine industry and adds that “the people tend to be passionate thinkers, dreamers, and gourmands. It makes for great dinner parties!” When gifting a bottle of wine, Katie prefers to choose something with a story. She noted that a good bottle of wine doesn’t have to be expensive as long as it’s a conversation starter, like the Sicilian wines of Mt. Etna that are grown on an active volcano! We had to ask our alumni where they stand on the cork vs. screwtop debate, and Katie views it from a practical standpoint. “Screw caps are super convenient for wines meant to be consumed in their youth, and they’re also durable. But the issues that cork used to have are mostly addressed these days.”
Katie sent us the following recommendations
- Matt Iaconis, Brick & Mortar Wines (@brickandmortarwines): “Matt is incredibly persistent and not afraid to try new things or go against the grain. From his white blend of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay inspired by the still wines of champagne, to making Piquette, to supporting Ocean cleanup with proceeds from his label Delta (@winesforchange), I have been consistently impressed by the quality and creativity.”
- Robert & Ellen Brittan, Brittan Vineyards (@brittanvineyards): “Besides being absolute pillars of the community, Robert and Ellen have a depth of experience and knowledge that has blown me away. Their insight on site selection, clonal selection, farming, winemaking, and business shows that even small projects can operate at a high level. Most importantly, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.”
- Nancy Bailey & Theresa Heredia, Gary Farrell Vineyards (@garyfarrellwinery): “The whole team at Gary Farrell Vineyards is incredible. They work with some of the most prized vineyards in Sonoma County and produce wines of exceptional quality. More importantly, they’re operating their business with an eye for sustainability not only in the sense of environment, but also social justice. Theresa has also been such an amazing spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community and Latinas in our industry.”
Kim Simone (MET’14) is currently the Manager of Commonwealth Wine School in Cambridge, MA. She joined their team during the COVID-19 pandemic and has helped the school transition back to in-person learning. As the person responsible for the school’s wine buying, Kim loves being able to sample such a wide variety. She also finds “such joy out of being able to pass on [her] knowledge to friends and relatives” and finds pride in helping those around her make intelligent, well-informed decisions when it comes to their wine purchases and pairings. Kim told us that she agrees with Katie on the screwtop debate and loves them “for anything meant to be consumed relatively young… especially if it’s supposed to have a little sparkle to it like Txakolina. I think every rose, and nearly everything else under $15/bottle should have a screwcap.” Kim also told us that her favorite wine goes beyond a good bottle. She likes to support winemakers creating a positive change in the industry, like “Susana Balbo from Argentina—a trailblazer for female owners/winemakers all over the world!”
Kim’s wine recommendation:
When it comes to buying gifts for others, Kim always chooses something bubbly! “Champagne for wedding presents, but Cremant if I’m going over to a friend’s house, or Franciacorta or Vintage Cava if I need something in between.”
Ty Robinson (MET’15) is a Signature Wine Sales Consultant for Breakthru Beverage Minnesota. When asked about his work, Ty told us that “there is nothing more fun than the wine industry. Now that events are back, getting to show off what we do to the world again has been a blast. It’s an industry that has always been welcoming to people of all communities… What’s not to love?” Though his favorite winemaker recently went out of business, Ty has been gravitating towards the offerings from Bergevin Lane and Peyrassol.
Ty’s wine recommendation:
“Drew Vineyards “The Suitcase” Pinot Noir. Easy, classic pinot noir at a great price. Cool label, cool company.”