My career in hospitality began at the Michelin-starred Babbo in 2014 where I worked my way up to Assistant General Manager. While at Babbo, I guided our team through many accomplishments, including hosting the Obama family for a tasting of the dinner menu in preparation for the final State Dinner in 2016. Beyond my operational role at Babbo, the rich wine culture—propped up by the accolade of “best Italian-centric wine list in the country”—transformed my curiosity and understanding of the world of wine.
Following my stint as company-wide consultant for B&B Hospitality Group, I embarked on a journey to further solidify my foundation in food and wine, as an MBA candidate at Cornell University, the heart of hospitality education in the United States. I was fortunate to learn from revered professors with over a century’s worth of food & beverage industry knowledge and experience, who helped foster my innate passion for wine. During my MBA studies, I began studying through the Court of Master Sommeliers to refine my technical knowledge, language, and skills in wine service.
In the fall of 2020, I participated in harvest in Chianti Classico at Principe Corsini, a family-run domaine in Tuscany with roots dating back to 1363. This career-defining experience led me to travel through Burgundy, Champagne, and Piedmont during the harvest season to further solidify my familiarity and connection to these wine regions. The invaluable time I spent on the ground building relationships with the winemakers gave way to the launch of my own portfolio.
With Stelle Wine Co., I am excited to continue to immerse myself in the rich histories of the domaines, strengthen friendships with these hospitable people, and, of course, broaden my horizons in the incredible art of winemaking.