April Newsletter: Wine Reviews, Becoming a Business Owner, and Discovering the Rhône

2026, as it turns out, really is the Year of the Fire Horse.

M. Chapoutier’s vines, terraced into the hills of the Hermitage.

Well, hello there. This once-consistent monthly newsletter took a bit of a hiatus from February - April, and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve left everyone hanging. I went through two serious dental surgeries, some terrible winter blues, got laid off from my job, took my first ever press trip, and officially launched my own business. It’s been a whirlwind I never could have anticipated, but I’ve come out the other side stronger than ever before. Ready? On y va !

April Wine Reviews

First things first: April was a great month for wine. After not being able to drink for weeks at a time, returning to wine evaluation and getting to do it on a professionally-hosted trip to a region I’d never been to (hello, Rhône!), I really fell back in love with all of it. Additionally, I’m pleased to share that I’m collaborating with SocialSomm for my future monthly reviews. This means you’ll be able to purchase a select group of the cuvées I’ve tasted directly through one retailer, which is pretty awesome! One of the biggest pain points in reviewing wines is that it can be hard for readers to get their hands on what I review. Now that’s changing, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to give you direct access to purchase wines with SocialSomm. Check out the reviews - and go buy yourself a bottle of Crozes-Hermitage blanc while you’re there!

Dreaming atop La Chapelle Hermitage, one of the most iconic views in the Rhône Valley.

A Visit to Crozes-Hermitage

Contrary to popular belief, I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I actually haven’t visited every single French wine region (yet). I’ve done Champagne, Loire, Bordeaux, Provence, Bourgogne / Beaujolais, and Alsace, but have yet to hit Jura, Savoie, Corsica, Languedoc – and until this year – Rhône. I’ll be honest, the Rhône isn’t a region I typically reach for. After a few disastrous encounters with bad wines from the Côtes du Rhône (though of course there are some great ones within the appellation as well) and generally not being a fan of heavy, spicy Syrah like Cornas, I’ve discounted the region. Enter Crozes-Hermitage. When I was invited on a press trip specifically for this appellation, I really had no idea what to expect. What I found were some delicious medium-boded reds, innovative and interesting whites, and a new generation of winemakers who are as committed to biodiversity in their vineyards as they are to making great wine. There’s so much more from this trip that I can’t wait to share. Stay tuned!

Tour de France: A Sneak Peek At My Quarterly Wine Club

Last year, I collaborated with SocialSomm to curate a one-time-only holiday wine box that featured a few of the top ranked wines from the 2025 Wine Reviews. In addition to helping you purchase my recommendations directly from my future wine reviews, we’ve also teamed up to launch a recurring quarterly box we’re calling the Tour de France. Each quarter, the Tour de France Wine Club will focus on a specific region of France, but we’re not going about it the way your granddad would. No, this is about up-and-coming producers, interesting wines you might never have heard of, and diving deeper into the heart of modern French wine. You can subscribe to the club now. Our first box will be shipping out in June. I can’t wait to share some of my favorites with you.

Leaning Into Freelance Life

I was laid off out of nowhere in early April. When the shock wore off, I immediately felt relief. Calm. The knowledge that the thing I’d be wanting to do for years but was always scared to start was finally here. I’ve been a senior digital strategist on the agency side since 2017, helping brands across wine, spirits, food, restaurant, and hospitality verticals create better content and partnerships. It’s in that spirit (ha, pun intended!) that I officially founded my own business, The Strategy Cellar. I’ve never felt more fully myself. If you or your brand are looking for an infusion of creative energy and a freelancer with a depth of experience in food & beverage, let’s connect!

As you might be able to tell, April’s been one of the craziest months of my life, but it’s brought some much-needed clarity, momentum, and good vibes. I want to thank everyone who’s reached out to support my fully freelance journey so far; every little like, message, and kind word has meant the world to me. See you soon! Santé !