Our Vision
Making Wine Simple
Making wine simple, fun, and interactive is our mission. We want to provide a fun experience where you walk away with a wealth of knowledge in a non-pretentious environment. We are lifelong food & beverage industry professionals that want to share our passion with our community and beyond. Cheers, and we look forward to meeting you.
About Us
Douglas Watkins
Doug has worked in the hospitality industry his entire life. He began cooking in fine dining restaurants in Washington, DC at the age of 16. Soon after he graduated from high school, he began traveling the country, cooking and showcasing his skills in beach towns across the country known for their local cuisines. After years in the kitchen Doug decided to hang up his chef coat and go to college. During that time he transitioned to the front of the house and fell in love with wine. While in college, where he studied geology, he worked in wine bars and became a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Back in the DC area he continues to work in the industry running wine and beverage programs for various fine dining restaurants. Doug is currently studying and drinking lots of wine preparing for his Advanced Sommelier Certification through CMS.
Rachel Stevens
Born and raised in the DC area, Rachel is far from a food & beverage expert. Most often found behind a computer screen, Rachel's passion is on the people side of wine - the Chianti that takes her back to the Tuscan countryside, the bottle of Riesling shared with a stranger to get through a mind-numbing speech, or the romantic backstory behind a favorite vineyard. You can find Rachel cheering at Nats and Caps games, soaking up the sun, or spending time with her sons.
Pickle-The Somm Dog
Pickle is one of our assistants here at the house. Whenever people are in the basement cellar, Pickle is right there with them looking for his next cork. To date, Pickle has chewed up and destroyed somewhere around 200 corks. You cant walk around our house without eventually stepping on a piece; they're like soft Legos. Pickle enjoys Alsatian & German Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and most fortified wines. If you're ever in our personal wine cellar you will surely meet him.