Meet Sheena Jones | Wine Student & Cocktail Lover

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheena Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheena, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I’ve recently started taking classes to become a sommelier. I just passed my WSET Level 1 course and plan to continue through WSET 3. My ultimate goal is to own and operate my own wine room. I would love to share my love of wine with everyone who enters my door.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I currently use Instagram to share my stories of travels, winery tours, tastings, new taprooms, etc. While this is something a lot of people do, I try to set myself apart by being just that… myself. I try to incorporate humor as well as a little education on the subject. I also follow a lot of wine and cocktail-based accounts. I have met some amazing people who share a love of wine as I do. In a recent article, I mentioned how it can be challenging for people to take you seriously when you aren’t a winemaker, sommelier, or vineyard worker. This has inspired me to move forward and start taking wine courses. It’s very humbling to go back to school for anything. There is always so much to learn though, and I am grateful & excited for this journey! I have big dreams in the wine world and my wine education will help me get there.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I often like to take my friends to the Scottsdale Wine Trail in Old Town Scottsdale. There are so many wonderful wine tasting rooms there, as well as gift shops and restaurants. I love to take them when the weather is just right so we can walk from one wine tasting room to the next. Some of my favorites are: Aridus Wine Company, The Wine Collective, Merkin Vineyards, LDV Winery, and AZ Stronghold.

If we are able to leave town, I love to take friends to Sonoita/ Elgin, AZ. Why go to a tasting room when you can go directly to the vineyards and see where the wines are made?! Arizona wine country is like no other. It’s a mix of that small-town southwest feel and the charm of the vineyards. The people are so friendly and welcoming. I highly suggest a weekend trip and hitting up some of my favorite wineries: Twisted Union Wine Company, AZ Hops & Vines, Rune Wines, Deep Sky Vineyard, Rancho Rossa Vineyards, Autumn Sage Vineyards, and Flying Leap Vineyards.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to thank my fiance, Jason, who supports and loves me. He is the one who introduced me to good wine and made me truly see how special it can be. He often “blames himself” for my love of wine… and it’s true, it’s his fault! He opened my eyes to the world of wine and I’ve wanted to learn more ever since.

I have a lot of friends and family who have encouraged me as well. Thank you to you as well!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azwinoz/

Image Credits
Jason Achee