ALISHA BLACKWELL CALVERT

Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, previously the sommelier of Elaia and Olio, is currently self-employed as an independent wine consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. She began working in restaurants after studying Equestrian Science and Biology at William Woods University in Fulton, MO. In 2007, her passion grew for wine and food pairing while waiting tables at fine seafood restaurant Oceano Bistro in Clayton, MO. Blackwell-Calvert was inspired to continue learning and decided to pursue a career in wine sales. She began as a wine consultant with Ionia Atlantic Imports in 2012, where Italian wine became a specialty, followed by wholesale distributor Vintegrity Wine & Spirits in 2015. Alisha is a Certified Sommelier and received the 2015 Walter Clore Certified Sommelier Scholarship for top score and also attained the Certified Specialist of Wine certification through the Society of Wine Educators with a 99% score the same year. It was in early 2017 when Reeds American Table approached her with a sommelier position and an opportunity to work along side now Master Sommelier Andrey Ivanov. Wine Enthusiast Magazine had awarded Reeds American Table for Top 100 Wine Restaurants three years in a row. Feast Magazine has named her a “Rising Star” for 2018. Most recently, she has been named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers” in 2018 and one of the newest inductees to Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Alisha continues striving to introduce quality wine into the St. Louis market while delivering elevated but comfortable service. Blackwell-Calvert is currently preparing to sit for the Advanced Sommelier examination and developing a business in private wine consulting. Judging credentials include the Jefferson Cup and the National Mead Crafters Competition. In her free time, Alisha enjoys working with draft horses .