The Story
Winacea is the vision I created with my husband, Justin, from our love of wine, food and travel. This business is my dream to connect people with the treasures of wine, food and travel. My goal is to teach, write, host, inspire, advise, research and experience the world of wine.
With an explosive “Cheers!”, Winacea was established in 2008.
The story began with a trip to the Steamboat Wine Festival August 2007. A life blended with wine. I read the bios from the list of honored, guest speakers at the festival and found we had something in common, a sacrificial love of wine. I listened and learned.
Then in October of 2007 Justin and I were invited to Bordeaux, France to learn more about wine. We stayed at Chateau Magnol for six unforgettable days and attended the respected Barton & Guestier wine course. I found a real understanding of “terroir” and an appreciation of Bordeaux wines. The French word “terroir”, which there is no English equivalent, became alive in my palate and mind. Our mysterious and attractive French wine instructor, Solange, explained the factors that determine terroir; soil, subsoil, climate and micro-climate. Every day starting at 9 o’clock in the morning, she shared her knowledge and passion about French wine with us. In the afternoons, we visited other chateaux and absorbed all things related to wine. It was narcotic. I was heartsick when we left Chateau Magnol, but I could feel my new wine endeavor within reach.
After my return to Fort Collins, I enthusiastically shared my latest, applicable wine knowledge with friends, co-workers and family by creating a heavily French inspired Thanksgiving Wine Pairing List. With great popularity, the wine list was distributed to over 50 interested wine enthusiasts. At this time, Winacea was in it’s first fermentation, and Justin encouraged me to listen to my passionate heart and stay focused on the business.
By Spring of 2008, the business started to develop and take on a true identity. My first wine tasting sold out in days, making Winacea ready to bottle and share. In May of 2008 I passed the Court of Master Sommelier’s Introductory Exam, and I started planning more wine events. Later that year, I was invited to teach a wine class for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Colorado State University. Then in 2009, was asked to teach a new version of that wine class again. By the Spring of 2010, I became a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators. In 2011 I successfully obtained the designation French Wine Scholar (FWS) and passed the Level 3 WSET Advanced Exam with distinction, earning the WSET Certified title. Currently I am a member with the Guild of Sommeliers, French Wine Society, Society of Wine Educators, Société Mondiale du Vin and hold the board position Vice Chargée de Presse with the Denver Chaîne des Rôtisseurs chapter.
My husband and I are a traveling wine tasting team, exploring the wine regions of the world whenever possible. We believe that visiting the wineries, walking the vineyards, smelling the earth, tasting the grapes and shaking hands with the people of the wine region teaches you more than you’ll ever learn from a text book or power-point. Through our journeys, we experienced first-hand the wine regions of France (Bordeaux), Italy (Liguria, Veneto, Tuscany, Campania), Greece (Neméa, Santorini), South Africa (Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek Valley), California (Napa, Sonoma), New Mexico (Middle Rio Grande Valley), Arizona (Sonoita), Colorado (Grand Valley), Washington (Yakima), Oregon (Willamette Valley), and New York (Finger Lakes).
Now I am a wine blogger, guest speaker, wine critic, and enjoy being a resource for wine information locally and internationally. The rewards for doing what I love are limitless. I live for wine and want to share it!
Winacea is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Contact Winacea for speaking engagements, private events, and writing.