National Women's Day: Women of Wine Chips 2022
Women make Wine Chips go, from family who’ve rolled up their sleeves in our kitchen, to executive team members to our board of Master Sommeliers to many thousands of our wonderful customers. Women have played a key role in every aspect of developing, supporting, and nurturing Wine Chips.
So in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we wanted to talk today about two of our Master Sommeliers, Emily Wines & Jill Zimorski!
Master Sommelier - Emily Wines
A Master Sommelier known throughout the country, and recently named the Chair of the Court of Master Sommeliers, U.S., we are lucky to have Emily on our Wine Chips team. Among other things, Emily is our go-to Master Sommelier for identifying Wine Chips flavors that will pair well with fruity white wines and light reds.
Emily brings an infectious vibrancy to the subject of wine in general, and to the Wine Chips Board of Master Sommeliers in particular. While she has earned the highest distinction from the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers, she is able to blend her vast knowledge of wine with an approachable personal style – translating the complex and often elitist world of wine into language that’s simple and straightforward.
Emily is an internationally qualified sommelier, and one of only 149 individuals in the Americas to earn the designation of Master Sommelier. She is also one of just two women and 15 professionals who have been awarded the prestigious Remi Krug Cup for passing all three sections – theory, service and blind tasting – of the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination on her first attempt (most candidates sit for the exam two to three times, and some take it as many as six times).
Emily has always enjoyed wine and fine dining. During college, she was intrigued by the world of beautiful food and the ritual of outstanding service. She finds the pairing of food and wine to be quite simply, “magical.” She studied the nuances, history and flavors of wines and spent four months in Europe during her 20’s developing her craft. She believes that restaurants with a sommelier on staff are “better for guests, more profitable for owners and an opportunity for better experiences.” She follows those ideals in her work at Cooper’s Hawk every day.
Featured Wine Chip By Emily Wines - "Sweet Coconut Curry" available in our "Sweet Coconut Curry Club Kit"
Master Sommelier - Jill Zimorski
Meet Jill. At Wine Chips, Jill focuses on helping us identify flavors that pair well with white and sparkling wines. She’s amazing!
Born and raised in Charlottesville, VA, Jill got her start in the hospitality industry while in studying sociology and biology at the University of Virginia. During college, Jill worked at the Orient-Express-owned Keswick Hall Hotel. After graduating, she served in management roles in two local Virginia restaurants, before moving to Washington, D.C. in late 2003.
While in D.C., Jill worked for several nationally-recognized chefs; Charlie Palmer & Jose Andres. After several years at Charlie Palmer Steak on Capitol Hill, Jill left to work as a Sommelier for Jose Andres at his Penn Quarter restaurant, Café Atlantico, ultimately becoming the first beverage director for ThinkFoodGroup. In that role she oversaw the award-winning wine and cocktail programs at José Andrés’ popular Washington, D.C. restaurants, including Jaleo, minibar by josé andrés, Oyamel, Zaytinya, and Café Atlantico, and aided in opening TFG restaurants in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas.
Jill is also an educator with the American Wine School in Chicago, teaching all levels of WSET Wine & Spirits exams and is a contributor to the SommTV network for both her series “Study Hall,” and her weekly podcast “Reading & Drinking” where she reviews wine books.
Featured Wine Chip By Jill Zimorski - "Sel Gris" (French Grey Sea Salt with a lemon twist) available in "The Salt of the Earth Collection"