Women are learning about wine, drinking wine, and working in the wine industry more than ever. There is no better example of this than the almost 2 year old wine shop, The Wine Bottega, in Boston’s historic North End. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Italian restaurants, boutiques, and this time of year, feasts of various saints, The Wine Bottega’s upstairs shop and downstairs tasting cellar offer a place to not just purchase wine, but to experience it.

It is everything a wine shop in the North End should be, cozy, charming, warm, and welcoming. And most importantly well stocked with wine and information on wine for those looking for a little more.

Owner Kerri Platt, who realized a dream when she purchased The Wine Bottega, has this to say about her shop: “From the first time I set foot in the shop, I felt that, like many of my favorite wines, there is a sense of history, tradition and specialness, that you can’t quite define, but just feels right.”’ (source)

In keeping with its North End roots, The Wine Bottega offers an extensive collection of wine from a variety of Italian wine regions, but its inventory also includes quite the selection from France, Spain, and Austria to name a few.

Handwritten cards posted behind the wines offer notes on wine regions, wine makers, and wine pairings.

Dark wood accents and exposed brick give the shop that North End feel; it is almost as though you have stepped out of Boston and into a shop on a side street in Florence.

Descending the stairs reveals even more character in The Wine Bottega’s tasting cellar. More wine, more dark wood, soft lighting, and a long table give way to a perfect place for tasting and learning about wine, something that happens frequently at The Wine Bottega. Special events and tastings, both inside and out of the shop, are regularly scheduled and include informative options such as Wine 101: Go back to school at The Bottega, tastings with winemakers, and even themed tastings like last week’s Pretty in Pink! Special Rosé Event, and 80’s themed tasting.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kerri and then of exchanging a few follow up emails where she shared answers to the following questions:

Do you have any advice for women interested in breaking into the wine industry from other industries?
First of all, Go For It! The wine industry is a fantastic world to live in full of passionate people and amazing opportunities. There is no set path for breaking into the industry, although many people have either started out in a small wine shop or as wait staff at a restaurant and then slowly worked their way up. I think that retail is the best place to start as most shops are constantly tasting new wines. Find a shop where the staff is helpful and focused on education and start hanging out and asking questions. If you can’t get a paying position right away, offer to be an intern, help out during events etc. It is amazing what you can learn this way and it’s a lot cheaper than signing up for a wine program! Not only do you learn about wine, but you also start meeting people and making connections in different aspects of the business. If you are focused and passionate, further opportunities have an interesting way of presenting themselves.

Many women, especially younger women are interested in wine but still have the perception that it is intimidating. Do you have any thoughts on this?
It drives me crazy that wine is surrounded by this layer of intimidation and pompousness! My shop is dedicated to breaking down this barrier and making wine fun and accessible to everyone. There is no need for anyone to ever feel intimidated by wine. I teach a Wine 101 class and it is all about teaching people to relax, get a few basics under your belt and then start exploring. To me it’s what I don’t know yet about wine that keeps it interesting, there is always something new to discover!

Your shop is in the North End, a place of tradition and culture. How has this location helped to shape your store? Have there been any specific positives or negatives to being in an area of the city that is known mostly for its Italian food and culture?
I love being in the North End and I can’t imagine my shop being anywhere else. I am extremely passionate about Italian wine, so being in the heart of an Italian neighborhood allows me to indulge this passion to its fullest. It’s more than just being able to offer a great selection of Italian wines though, it’s about embracing the Italian approach toward enjoying food and wine together with family and friends as a vital component of daily life.

The North End is truly a neighborhood in the best sense. Everyone knows each other, says “hi” on the streets as they stop by the Mercato del Mare to pick up their fish, the Salumeria Italiana to pick up cheese and cured meats and then The Wine Bottega for wine. I love being a part of these daily rhythms. Combine this with being on the Freedom Trail with its constant stream of visitors from around the globe sharing their experiences, and it is a remarkably unique place.

If you live in or are visiting Boston, I definitely recommend a visit to The Wine Bottega to browse the wine selection or to attend a tasting or other special event.

Check the CRAVE Boston Blog often for more upcoming posts from our new guest blogber Meghan Malloy of Travel, Wine, Dine