Ashley Sferra - Cincinnati Sales
FIRST VINTAGE WITH CUTTING EDGE?
2022
WHAT EXPERIENCE DID YOU HAVE IN THE WHY INDUSTRY AND HOW DOES THIS SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS AT CUTTING EDGE?
Over 15 years in all kinds of different industry settings doing all kinds of different jobs. I've thrown pizzas, scheduled trapeze artists, reupholstered bar stools, and have poured a lot of wine. The last one being the most enjoyable as a server, trainer, bartender, buyer, imbiber, and manager. I hope I don't have to bust out my plumbing skills at CES, but I'm ready just in case.
WHAT WAS YOUR ‘LIGHT BULB’ WINE EXPERIENCE?
My Aunt Kathleen gave me a glass of Vermont blueberry port and a piece dark chocolate on a butcher's block next to a stone hearth fire after a long day of skiing. That one's pretty ingrained.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE WINE EXPERIENCES?
A coworker opened a magnum of my birth year Dom Perignon one random weekend after a long day of work for all of us. Charcuterie materialized and questions of "What's the special occasion?" were quickly answered with a heartwarming "Because I love you guys..." then, after realizing the heartwarming, a gruff "and who the hell else would appreciate it?"
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINE AND FOOD PAIRING?
Comfort food - Beef Bourgogne and Bourgogne Rouge. Chablis and seared scallops doesn't suck.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO WORK AT CES?
After meeting the staff and experiencing their reverence for their work and company. Their ethos is enough, let alone the wine.
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST WINE TRIP?
I was just beginning my wine journey when I found myself at the Alba wine festival in Piedmont. It was my first large scale tasting and had a time trying to communicate in Italian with the makers and growers. Loved every minute.