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The SOMM Journal 🍷🍾

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The essential guide for wine professionals.

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A sincere thank you to The Somm Journal team for highlighting our story in their August/September issue and recognizing these bottles:

• 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (98 pts)
• 2023 Red Wine (98 pts)
• 2023 The Blend (97 pts)

To read the Gus Matthew feature click the link in our bio!

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This year, Lee Campbell was honored with the James Beard Award for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. And it all started with a knock.
In the mid-’90s, Lee was an aspiring law student headed for Capitol Hill, until one meal at chef Nora Pouillon’s restaurant in D.C. changed everything.
“I woke up the next day, I knocked on the kitchen door, I asked for a job, and they gave me one.”
That bold move led to a career championing natural wine, building lists across Brooklyn, co-founding Common Wealth Crush in Virginia, and now leading the wine program at Borgo in NYC.
I’m honored to share her story in my Wine With Wanda column in the October/November issue of @sommjournal. Her advice to fellow somms: never forget the first wines that inspired you, and remember that wine is rooted in farming and community.
Link in bio to read the full piece.
#SommJournal #JamesBeardAward #Sommelier #WineWithWanda

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🍷 From an unforgettable experience to a published article!
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending FLX Riesling Camp in New York's beautiful Finger Lakes region.
Four days of extraordinary wines, passionate winemakers, fascinating conversations, and new friendships left such a lasting impression that I knew I wanted to do more than simply bring those memories home.
I wanted to share what I had learned and help bring greater recognition to a wine region that truly deserves it.
Today, I'm incredibly excited to share “Reframing an Underdog,” my article published in the October/November 2026 issue of The SOMM Journal!
But this story wouldn't exist without the people behind the experience.
❤️ My heartfelt thanks to:
Amy Navor and the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance — for bringing together such an extraordinary group of people and creating an experience that inspired me to write this article.
The 19 wineries and producers — for your incredible hospitality, generosity, knowledge, and passion. Your dedication to your craft is what makes the Finger Lakes so special.
My fellow Riesling Camp participants — what an amazing group of knowledgeable, curious, and passionate wine professionals! The conversations, discoveries, and friendships were every bit as memorable as the wines.
Josh Wig and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars — for the thought-provoking conversation that helped shape the opening of my article.
Meridith May, Ruth Tobias, Kate Newton, and The SOMM Journal team — for the opportunity, encouragement, and thoughtful editing that brought this story to publication.
One message stayed with me throughout the experience:
The Finger Lakes doesn't need to be called a hidden gem anymore. It deserves recognition among the world's great cool-climate wine regions.
And as I concluded in my article:
“The wines are ready. The producers are ready. The next move is ours.”
📖 Read the article in The SOMM Journal, page 121. Link in bio!
#FingerLakes #FLXRieslingCamp #TheSOMMJournal #Riesling #WineEducation

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“Şarap, yalnızca bir içki değildir.
Bir dokunuş, bir koku, bir an…
Ve bazen, insanın kendisiyle buluştuğu en sessiz hikâyedir.”

Kadehte başlayan yolculuk,
duyulara, hafızaya ve zamana dokunur.

Wine is not simply tasted.
It is felt, remembered and lived.

#Wine #WineLovers #WineCulture #Sommelier #FineDining WineExperience Cappadocia CappadociaWine WineArt WineStory

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Proud to share my latest cover and feature photography for the October/November issue of @sommjournal

Photographed Merus winemaker Michael Beaulac at @farmhouse_inn for “Undiluted Perfection,” a story about the people and craft behind @meruswines ’ 100-point Cabernet Sauvignon.

From the cover portrait to the wine and food throughout the feature, this is a shoot I’m especially happy with. Always rewarding to see the photographs come together in print.

Thank you to the team at @sommjournal , Michael, and everyone who helped bring this shoot together.

Words by @jcristaldi
Photography by me, @rubinphotog

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#wine #sommelier #cappadoccia #lifestyle #sexy
🍷 Bazı şişeler sadece şarap taşımaz… bir hikâye saklar.

Karanlığın içinde şekillenen bir siluet, yılların içinde olgunlaşan bir tutku ve her kadehte yeniden hatırlanan bir an…

Çünkü iyi bir şarap sadece tadılmaz; hissedilir, hatırlanır ve iz bırakır.

Some stories are not told… they are poured. 🍷

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Finished the wines that evening with a 1995 Ridge Monte Bello…hard to stand up against the previous two wines before but it was a solid finish. I’ve always loved these old Monte Bello wines and these were both great with Chef Anthony’s A5 entree.

A5 Japanese Wagyu Ribeye-Chickpea crêpe, smoked eggplant, sweet pepper, walnut dukkah

Then finished with the last of their 1979 DRC Fine Bourgogne brandy to go with the dessert!

Dark chocolate gateau- strawberry, pistachio

Again, love all the @riedel_official glassware and decanters to best showcase the wines as they were intended.

#therealtorsomm #wineconsultant #realtor #militaryofficer #sommelier

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The unicorn. 1985 Sassicaia.

Savored with a dish that I had waited over 8 years to have again and was thrilled to see it on the Protege menu on my first visit in Sept of last year. It was also the same visit I saw this wine on the list and was shocked by the price…a list full of amazing finds!

Chef Anthony was the CDC of Addison when I first joined the team in 2015 and the lasagna was one of my favorite dishes during that time…as he always does, it still seemed to be even better! He is one of the chefs I have the most respect for and I’ll always do my best to support his restaurant.

9-Layer Lasagna- porcini mushroom marmalade, aged Parmesan, Madeira.

The 1985 continues to show why it is one of the greatest Italian wines at 41 years old. You can tell this one was taken care of and evolved thru the evening and went so well with that lasagna! This wine is one of the reasons why Sassicaia was worthy of its own DOC. I am honored to have this wine at such a memorable place! Bonus is that they are a @riedel_official account so I don’t have to worry about bringing my own glasses!

Thank you Anthony, Dennis, and the entire team for a great experience once again!

#therealtorsomm #wineconsultant #bucketlist #unicornwine #sommelier

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@protegepaloalto

1996 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre

Perfectly paired with the Crab & Caviar (Dungeness crab, Protege reserve caviar, yuzu sabayon) & Katafai-wrapped John Dory (English peas, Meyer lemon, fines herbes, champagne).

Both exceptional courses from @asecviar

After 30 years this premier cru Raveneau was perfectly in stride, so beautifully savory! Baked apple, toasted hazelnut, honeycomb, touch of spice and a whisper of wood that made this so perfect to enjoy. Silky yet quietly powerful!

A great find on the @denniskellyms curated wine list!! Now I need to find some of these older Raveneaus.

#realtorsomm #sommelier #consultant #realtor #militaryofficer

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More wines from the Altura dinner from their great Italian selection…

2009 Case Basse Soldera Sangiovese….who knows the story of the 2009 that makes it unique?!

2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato Barolo

Both wines so powerful and so amazing to enjoy and to see how they transformed with air! My favorite of the two reds was the Soldera.

Riedel glasses brought to enjoy were some of my favorites: Fatto a Mano Syrah/Sangiovese glass in dragon red, and grand gru burgundy Superleggero for the barolo.

Which would you prefer to try?

#realtorsomm #consultant #sommelier #ambassador #sandiegorealtor

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Rooted in friendship. Grown in Paso Robles.

Serial Wines is featured in the August/September issue of @sommjournal, highlighting Winemaker Jeff Kandarian alongside some of Paso Robles’ most respected winemakers for an evening centered on collaboration, craft, and the relationships that have shaped the region.

Read “A Microcosm of Mavericks” in the latest issue of The SOMM Journal.

#SerialWines #PasoRobles #SOMMJournal #PasoRoblesWine

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Raising a glass to another unforgettable year! 🍷 We were honored to host wine buyers and sommeliers from across the country for the 13th annual Cabernet Academy. From deep dives into terroir to exceptional tastings, showcasing the best of Alexander Valley is always a highlight for our team.

@actawine
@alexandervalleyvineyards
@alexandervalleywine
@coppolawine
@pelotonphoto
@rsvineyards
@sonomacountywinegrowers
@sommjournal
@stonestreetwinery
@trionewinery

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