First Day, First Impressions (Spoiler: I Was Way Overdressed)
In March of 2022, I began stocking shelves at Vintage Mattituck. I remember my first day pretty well: Monday, March 14. It was just me, Chris, and George. I showed up wearing jeans and a button-down shirt, only to immediately realize I was way overdressed for the task at hand.
I came to Vintage Mattituck almost out of desperation. Mask mandates had ended, COVID was on the decline, and, simply put, I needed a job. My part-time journalism career hadn’t taken off, so I needed something to help pay the bills—or at least just get me out of the house. So while my body, which had barely lifted a finger in the past two years, suddenly found itself lifting cases of wine over my head, the Bordelais were embarking on their journey with the 2022 vintage.
From “Just Here to Work” to “Wine Expert”
Together, we grew. In April, I almost quit during the moving process from one storefront to another, and Bordeaux winemakers almost quit as sharp frosts threatened the entire vintage. But, as the months passed, I found my footing in the store, and Bordeaux went on to see the warmest growing season in at least 15 years. I went from telling Brian at my interview that I liked gin to telling customers why I preferred one wine over another.
My passion only grew as the year went on. By the end of 2022, George and I were offered management positions, and my little Indeed application turned into a career. As 2023 began, I was slowly figuring out what it takes to run a successful business while Bordeaux winemakers were hoping that the grapes they harvested the fall before would turn into the next classic Bordeaux vintage. By April, we both knew we were in the right place.
Off To Bordeaux
That’s when Paul traveled to Bordeaux for the first time to taste En Primeur—the annual debut of the previous year’s harvest. Little did I know that one year later I’d be joining him. At the time, I was completing my Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Wine. Paul was signing checks to négociants. Neither of us knew where we’d be when the wines arrived in 2025.
Well, it’s 2025, and Paul and I are still here—along with the wines (finally!). I know that was a long-winded way to say it, but I wanted to give you some context. Since my first En Primeur trip in 2023, Paul and I have been back to Bordeaux again. I’ve completed my WSET Level 3 Award and am now working toward the Diploma. And I’m also a Professional Wine Educator with the Napa Valley Wine Academy.
I’m Not Just a Pretty Face – I Know My Wine
More importantly, I’ve built a reputation in-store and with you. When you walk into Vintage Mattituck, I hope you feel confident in what I’m offering. I know I dyed my hair blonde last summer (and, yes, a few of you didn’t recognize me—or maybe even questioned my decision, trust me, I get it), but I promise, it’s still me.
So here’s the deal. Why am I writing this? Well, we bought a lot of 2022 Bordeaux wine. And by “we,” I mean Paul. The reality is now we need to sell it.
Look, I get it. Bordeaux isn’t the “cool thing” to drink these days. It’s the random bottle you find while cleaning out your grandparents' basement. It’s not Burgundy, it’s not orange wine, and it’s certainly not affordable.
Prices That Won’t Break the Bank (Unless You Want Them To)
Well… actually, that last statement isn’t true. Bordeaux is affordable. It’s just incredibly complicated to find those gems. That’s where we come in. We’ve done the work for you. No one wants to feel burned by splurging on a bottle only to find out it’s not any good. And I get that. I’d feel even worse if I was the one who handed you a bad bottle. That’s why I strive to make sure you’re getting something worth your time and your money.
Everything we bought has been tasted. Paul tasted En Primeur two years ago and I tasted everything with him again in January. We didn’t know how we were going to roll these wines out, but we tasted and tasted. And you know what our main takeaway was? We needed to buy more.
Look, I know I have a young face. I’m fully aware that some of you have been drinking wine longer than I’ve been alive (I swear I’m 26!). Maybe my little pins and certificates don’t mean much to you. But I can assure you, I know what I’m talking about.
Yes, I can pick out all those little nuances you read about in critic tasting notes and think, “How is that even in there? Tar? Leather? What the heck is a quince?” I asked all those same questions. One thing about me is I hate being pretentious. Wine can turn a lot of people off because of that. But you don’t need pins or certificates or trips to France to know when something’s just good. These wines aren’t just good, they’re amazing.
The wines have great freshness, great acidity, and tremendous drinkability now—blah, blah, blah. I could go on and on, but deep down, I know it’s best if you just see for yourself. And if you want to talk in industry jargon, or simply nod in agreement when something’s good (or bad), you know where to find me: 10095 Main Road, Unit 12, Mattituck, NY 11952. Five days, forty hours a week.
Open Your Mind (And Your Bottles)
Price points for these wines start at $22 and go up to $1,000. Choose what feels right for you, not what will make my end-of-the-night sales numbers look good. Believe me, I’ve got way more bottles in that lower range than the higher one.
All I ask is that you be open. Open your mind, open your possibilities, but most importantly, open your wines! Shoot, I’ll come over and open them with you.
Ready to taste the vintage I’ve been raving about? Explore our 2022 Bordeaux collection here!