Sara Sparks

About Sara Sparks

My formal start in wine dates to 2010 when I worked in the tasting room at Keswick Vineyards in Virginia. While I\'d been telling winding stories to my friends for years, this was my first time guiding strangers on a fluid journey from peachy Viognier to spicy Chambourcin. Soon after, I moved to NYC where a few restaurant stints lead me to learn everything I could about beverages. Turning wine and spirits into my full-time pursuit, I transitioned to retail where I parlayed that learning into a massive email newsletter gushing over new arrivals on sale at Astor Wines & Spirits. Next up was Sotheby\'s Wine, where my focus was on growing the collections of our patrons. When I returned to restaurants to bartend at Le Bernardin, it was because I missed working so closely with spirits and seeing them shine in drinks or reveal their complexities neatly in a glass. August 2023 brought me to Sonoma, California, where I worked my first ever harvest at Scribe Winery. Now I\'m energized as ever to return to the wine and spirits market and learn even more about the world of drinks. Career highlights include-Hiring and training the sales team at Astor Wines & Spirits-Working at 3-Michelin starred Le Bernardin-Becoming a CMS Certified Sommelier in 2015 & Completing the WSET Diploma in 2023-Transiting the Panama Canal, traveling to Machu Picchu and Galapagos, and becoming a shellback while working at ISE.My experience has led me to anticipate my clients\' collection management and ordering needs. Across roles and companies, I contribute strategy and copy for communicating new releases and driving e-commerce; developing new websites and social media plans; and building email sales calendars.Professional growth at Sotheby\'s Wine-Total sales 2020 increased 17% year over year-Q4 2020 sales increased 65% year over year-Q1 2020 sales increased 95% year over year -Q4 2019 sales increased 60% year over yearContact: 56••••••32 or saraesparks (@) g ma il (.) comAside from work, I enjoy museums, libraries, gardening, dining out, hosting parties, and meeting new people.SPECIALTIES: Wine & Spirits, Sommelier, Wine Tastings, WSET, Food & Wine Pairing, Food & Spirits Pairing, Beverage Manager, Restaurant Service, Hospitality, Fine Dining, Wine Cellaring, Cellar Advising, Wine Advising, Spirits Advising, Wine Retail Sales, Spirits Retail Sales, Wine Writing, Promotions, Relationship Building, Relationship Management, International Travel.

Experience

1. Account Representative

   Lirette Selections

   Jun 2024 — Present · New Orleans, LA, US

   Selling importer portfolios including Ole & Obrigado, Louis/Dressner, North Berkeley, Bonhomie, Baron Francois, ZRS, Rare Wine Co, Schatzi, Kysela, direct imports, domestic producers, and many more. SevenFifty and Vinosmith experience

Education

• University of Virginia

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Anthropology, Art History

  2006 — 2010

• College Year in Athens

  Study Abroad, Anthropology/Art History

  2009 — 2009

• Spanish River Community High School

  High School Diploma, Pre-College

  2002 — 2006

Skills

• Operations Management
• Website Updating
• Copywriting
• Illustrator
• Anthropology
• Social Media
• Travel Management
• Wordpress
• Hospitality Industry
• Art History
• Indesign
• Wine & Spirits Industry
• Photoshop
• Tumblr
• Food & Spirits Pairing
• Food & Wine Pairing
• Digital Media
• Beverage Manager
• Public Speaking
• Coaching
• Wine Sales
• Strategic Communications
• Archaeology
• Aloha
• Wine & Spirits Training
• Food & Beverage
• Database Management
• Beverage Director
• Blogging
• Research
• Customer Relations
• Twitter
• Sommelier
• Publications
• Graphic Design
• Strategy
• Business Travel
• Cms