Meet one of our Certified Sommeliers – Yanique!

Yanique is a certified Sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommeliers. She studied and earned her certification in Umbria located in central Italy. Yanique’s love of science was the catalyst for her interest in wine. She says wine is fascinating, from the vineyard where the magic begins, to how wine evolves in a glass right in your hand.

She has over 15 years of experience in the wine industry and utilizes her knowledge as a Sommelier, wine educator, and brand ambassador to educate about all things wine related. She has been invited to speak as a guest Sommelier and wine expert at wine events and trade meetings throughout the United States.

She has worked with Wine and Food Festivals, celebrity and private chefs, winemakers, and distributors. Yanique combines a smile, southern hospitality, and her expertise to make wine approachable and exciting. If you want to talk wine and food she’s your Sommelier!

Favorite Wine Regions and/or Varietals

I LOVE Italian wines! But there are varietals and styles from other countries I enjoy as well. I am a fan of Austrian Grüner Veltliner, Torrontés from Chile, Rieslings from all over, and of course who doesn’t have a favorite Champagne?! My favorite red varietal is Cabernet Franc! But I also enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Pfeffer, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Norton.

Wines you’re enjoying now

Reds I have been drinking lately are a Napa Valley Cabernet Franc, a Paso Robles Zinfandel, and some Sangiovese I brought back from Umbria, Italy. There is a sparkling Rosé from Sonoma and a Syrah Rosé from Red Mountain, Washington I have been loving! As for white wines, I have been enjoying Champagne and Italian Vermentino and Prosecco.

Wine Travel Experience

In the United States: Tennessee, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Missouri, California, Washington State, and Hawaii.
Outside of the US: Italy, Guatemala, and Jamaica.

Degrees & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Wine Studies – Central Washington University
Winery Event Design Certification – Central Washington University
Tasting Room Mgmt Certification – Central Washington University
Wine Trade Professional Certification – Central Washington University
Associate of Science in Enology – Missouri State University
Sommelier Certification – Associazione Italiana Sommeliers – Italy
Advanced Mastery of Wines Certification – Florida Int University

Fun Facts

I love the ocean, science museums, PBS, cooking, traveling, NFL football, watching a great documentary with my son, and I enjoy my whiskey and bourbon neat!