Beats Vines and Life From “Wine Girl” to Wine Mogul: How Victoria James Overcame The Odds and Became A Hospitality Rock Star!
MJ’s guest today is Author, Sommelier and Restaurateur, Victoria James. As the Beverage Director and Partner at COTE in New York City and Miami, she recently received a second James Beard nomination for "Outstanding Wine Program." Victoria has worked in restaurants since she was thirteen, falling in love with wine so much that at age twenty-one she became certified as a Sommelier. She has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in NYC including Marea and Aureole. Victoria’s name has appeared in Forbes "30 Under 30," Food & Wine's "2018 Sommelier of the Year," Zagat’s “30 Under 30,” Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40,” Wine & Spirits’ “Best New Sommeliers,” and The Back Label declared her “New York’s Youngest Sommelier.” Victoria, along with her husband Lyle Railsback, is the author of Drink Pink, A Celebration of Rosé (HarperCollins) and the international bestseller Wine Girl, The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier (Ecco/HarperCollins). Along with COTE’s General Manager Amy Zhou and HR Director Cynthia Cheng, she founded Wine Empowered, a non-profit that aims to diversify the hospitality industry by offering tuition-free wine classes to women and minorities. In this episode, MJ and Victoria discuss Rose’, sexism and racism in the restaurant industry, working with Anthony Bourdain’s book editor (her dream editor), first job and life - and all the ups and downs that come along with it. Beauties and Gents, this is a full-bodied episode! Pour your favorite and let’s get started.
A huge thank you to Victoria James!
Follow her on IG @victoria___james
Check out Wine Empowered: https://www.wine-empowered.com
Follow them on IG @wineempowere
This episode’s in studio wines:
Camins2Dreams Gruner Veltliner
Sta. Rita Hills
California
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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers!
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