Local Spotlight Lourdes of the Vine

Finding passion in what you do, makes your world a whole lot happier.

Meet Lourdes! She’s my new idol.

When it comes to wine, this lady knows her stuff. Lourdes is experienced and knowledgeable and loves her wine. Her palette is pretty refined and she can talk you in, around and through the best bottles, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are expensive.

I asked her how she started her business. She responded with a giggle and then replied “ by accident, actually”

She got her start studying French language and literature at the University of Maryland, then she set off to France to study, that’s when she knew. Coming back when the recession was in full swing, she happened to come upon employment at Madame Claude’s Bistro in Jersey City. They offered some favorite wines, she began to get more excited and influenced by owners Alice Troietto and Mattias Gustafsson. (She refers to them as her mother and father of wine). Madame Claude Wines opened in 2010 as one of the first “wine boutiques” and they loved to share wines and educate their customers.

She worked, and managed the specialty wine shop while she started her training at the International Wine Center in NYC. She spent the next 4-5 years educating her way through the beginner, advanced level and she’s now a Level 3 Certified Wine & Spirits specialist through WSET.

While continuing her education of wine and working in a retail store, she began to write a blog about her experiences and knowledge. She was excited and a little surprised about how many people were interested and curious about wine. LOTV (Lourdes of the Vine) was born. She soon was busy doing private dinners, then small parties and catered events, bridal showers and now even some corporate events. Despite all the education and training, this lady is not drawn to expensive labels nor is she a “wine snob” in any way. In fact, she prefers to help people find their confidence in buying, drinking and even pairing their way through the wines.

Love wine, learn wine.

She finds educating and sharing wines that are organic or natural excites her most. She loves knowing about the history of the region, the grapes, the growers, supporting the agricultural. There is so much to learn, with each bottle and every grape there’s a story. It’s like you are walking through someone's living room looking at photos of relatives. It intrigues her to get to know local owners of vineyards, touring the vineyard meeting and understanding how and when the grapes are harvested, who the workers are in the field, and knowing that it’s responsibly made (as opposed to mass produced)

Learning wine is a gift, teaching what you’ve learned is the cherry on the ice cream sundae with extra whipped cream. LOTV offers a variety of packages. Private Sommelier at a dinner party, she adds just that extra “special” at a shower or birthday party pouring and educating guests as the Wine Tender. (She even sets up and cleans up, bringing table linens and glassware) She’ll bring a classroom full of knowledge as a tutor to individuals, groups of wine enthusiasts or those in the industry that are wanting to advance their knowledge. She offers themed tastings and pairings that will educate your palate, your sense of adventure as she guides you through the hills and valleys of where they were originated and satisfy your craving for delicious food.

If you have a sweet tooth that is as good as good gets. vineyard pic cheeseplatter

We are so excited that Lourdes will be doing a wine tasting for us October 19th right here at DeBoer’s Auto. We will be giving a Free Women’s Car Care Clinic and inviting our attendees to join us for a wine tasting and pairing afterward. There’s a limited number of space, so please click here to r eserve your seat.