Originally from Argentina, Julieta discovered her calling in sommellerie while attending winemaking school. She has worked in acclaimed restaurants, hotels, and wineries in Mendoza, where she conducted award-winning beverage programs. She moved to the United States in 2017, and since then, has discovered a new passion in retail and education. Julieta is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds a Level 3 award in Wines with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and is currently deep diving into the world of whisky. She firmly believes that hospitality is a way of life, and that the discovery of wine and spirits should be a journey of celebration and enjoyment.
https://reedsamericantable.com/
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 .
Tiffany Bobbs started in hospitality in 1999 and worked her way up from host at Char to current position as General Manager, Wine Director, and Sommelier at The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen. She is currently studying for WSET Level 3, CSS with SWE, and Oregon Wine Expert.
Lea Anne started with wine in 2009. She worked for Bravo, Brio Restaurant group and wanted to be the wine buyer. She moved on to Max’s Wine Dive in Fort Worth where she started really studying wine. She is currently the wine director for Reata Restaurant in downtown Fort Worth. She is also working on her level two certification as well as CMS and WSET certifications. This will be her first time at the Retreat but she has volunteered with TEXSOM before.
https://citywinery.com/chicago/
Rebecca Miles-Steiner graduated from Wells College, in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, with a degree in Theatre. While working as a Stage Manager in Chicago, her college-sparked love of Riesling and a library borrowed Jancis Robinson book set her on the wine and spirits path. She helped to open, and subsequently managed a boutique wine and spirit store in Lincoln Park, worked as a wine and spirit buyer for Whole Foods, pre-pandemic was a wine captain and event lead at City Winery Chicago, and was the spirits buyer for Plum Market’s Old Town Chicago location. She is currently the Fine Wine Specialist at Domaine Wine Storage. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and is currently making her way through the WSET Diploma program. In her spare time she practices barebow archery, reads wine books, and plans her next wine adventure.
Chuck is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers & a Certified Specialist of Wine with The Society of Wine Educators. He has been working as a Sommelier/ wine buyer/ consultant in the South since 2016. He is currently the Wine Director/ Service Manager at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant.
