"Over a bottle of wine many a friend is made." ~ An Old Jewish Proverb

This quote really summarizes my mission with regard to wine. My focus is connection. I want to help people not only connect with wine in a way that is simple and fun, but also with each other. The development of this mission, as well as my love of wine, began more than a decade ago. At that time I was traveling extensively as a sales executive for an internet software company. The highlight of my travels was taking clients out to dinner for great food and wine.

I had the privilege during those years to dine in some of the finest restaurants in the United States. Drinking great wine was always a joy for me, but ordering it from a wine list was another story. Most wine lists are written assuming the reader has a great deal of knowledge of wine and geography, which for someone who was just starting her love affair with wine, this was very intimidating.

On several occasions, when I asked for help, my request was greeted with a bit of an air and snooty attitude. This motivated me to start studying wine, and I have never forgotten that feeling. It is my goal to help others know wine, as I believe it should be simple, without attitude and above all else, lots of fun!

A few years later I made the decision to leave my position in sales to pursue my two main passions--people and wine. I enrolled in Coach U and began my career as a life coach. As a coach I was able to help other people examine their own lives to set goals and make choices to support them in living happier and healthier lives. One area that constantly surfaced with my clients (especially women) was the ability to take time for themselves, while also making time to create a network of friends for support. I found that all of the women I worked with were so busy with career, family, and partners, there was no time to create and sustain connections with other women.

At that same time I began the process of studying wine by embarking on a certification program for wine professionals with the American Sommelier Association. During the six months it took me to complete my certification in Viticulture and Vinification, my previous feelings of intimidation when I ordered from complicated wine lists came rushing back. I felt that the wine education I was receiving was so amazing, yet shouldn't choosing and tasting wines be more fun with less pretense?

Following my certification, I worked as a sales consultant for the largest wine retailer in New York City. There I was, able to assist people looking for a $10 bottle of wine, as well as those looking to spend $100 or more. What I learned is that most people want to enjoy wine but feel that the jargon and pomp-and-circumstance leave them confused and frustrated. They all came to me looking for simplification, advice, and of course, a great bottle of wine.

It hit me then--the idea for The Wine Coach®! My new goal was I wanted to educate and share my wine knowledge with people, without the attitude or pretense. I could make the world of wine simple and fun. As a result, I launched my business as The Wine Coach to help people learn how to enjoy wine and life even more!

In May 2003, I was blessed with the birth of my daughter, Michaela, with whom I chose to spend my full time. During this period, we decided to leave Manhattan. I suddenly found myself not only adjusting to motherhood, but to an entirely new living situation as well. My husband, Michael, is a chef who spends long hours at work, which left me with a lot of time on my hands. In an effort to meet other women, I joined a multitude of mommy groups, mommy-baby music classes and even a stroller exercise group! While I was successful in meeting moms, as well as providing Michaela with playmates, I was not as successful meeting women who were as passionate about food and wine as I was.

That's where The Wine Coach® Women's groups fit in. I thought, "Why not have a women's wine tasting group that meets once a month?" In the past, I have noticed that when people come together and taste a little wine, something magical happens. People get excited. They begin by talking about the wine and eventually the conversation shifts to many other facets of life. Wouldn't it be wonderful to create a group that allowed women to come together and learn about wine in an attitude-free environment? This could create an opportunity for women to develop friendships and support each other along the way. This was exactly what I had been searching for!

As with any fine wine, the creation of The Wine Coach® has been years in the making and well worth the wait. After you experience one of my events, I hope you'll agree. I personally invite you to come be a part of the magic I think we can create.

Photograph © Paragon Light Photography