Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Young.
Chelsea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m an Atlanta native and self-proclaimed “cork dork” that started in the hospitality industry back in 2008. Originally, my interests were in classic cocktails and mixology which put me behind some of the best bars in Atlanta. While working in various fine dining establishments, I was introduced to wine – really good wine. I was attracted to the communal aspect of wine first but quickly realized that as a neurodivergent, there was indefinite learning opportunities surrounding wine. I was quickly bitten by the “wine bug” in 2017 and began pursuing wine as not only a career but a passion.
In 2019, I received a scholarship for Women in Wine to continue my education and have since passed multiple certifications with the Society of Wine Educators, the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET). Most recently I passed WSET Diploma – Level 4 Award in Wines. This is WSET’s highest level and is the precursor to the Master of Wine program – a title held by only 59 people in the United States. I’ll be sitting for the entrance exam in June with hopes of starting the program in early 2024. So to say I’m a “cork dork” is an understatement.
Now, I share my experiences as a neurodivergent woman in the wine industry including visual tasting notes, study guides, and wine recommendations online and at The Oenophile Institute.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I began studying wine, I found that Atlanta and the Southeast as a whole had few educational opportunities. Many classes were unaffordable for a hospitality employee or geared towards consumers in a tasting format. Tasting groups were few or exclusive. There were no easily accessible resources for career development, mentorship, or study groups. This was especially true for marginalized communities in the wine industry. As a neurodivergent woman, I struggled to find a supportive community and consequently failed a blind-tasting portion of an exam. Luckily, I found my people in 2020 and have since helped build an inclusive wine community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
After struggling to find my own wine community and resources, I opened The Oenophile Institute – a wine school in Smyrna. The Oenophile Institute offers wine education through drop-in classes, private and public events, weekly blind tastings, study hall for aspiring sommeliers, and Masterclasses held by globally recognized wine professionals. We will be offering nationally recognized wine certifications by the summer of 2023.
The mission is to make the world of wine accessible, inclusive, and affordable to all interested individuals through education while promoting responsible consumption and a sense of community. We welcome all levels of wine knowledge from absolute novice to seasoned connoisseur. The Institute’s classes and events blur the line between consumer and professional by offering education and context to help expand your knowledge and palate instead of a price sheet or sales pitch.
Personally, I am most proud of our accessibility and inclusivity measures. We have accommodations for those with sensory issues, visual impairments, Deaf/hard of hearing, and varying levels of mobility impairments. We work with local and national advocacy organizations to prioritize accessibility. Unfortunately, the wine industry still has a reputation for being pompous and domineering which leads to many people feeling unwelcomed. But wine is meant to be shared communally and I believe that diversity and inclusivity are crucial to the success of the institute and encourage all participants to join in promoting a respectful and supportive community. The Oenophile Institute has an absolute zero-tolerance policy for gatekeeping, pretentiousness, or condescension.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, means achieving my goals and feeling fulfilled in my personal and professional life. It’s about finding happiness and purpose in what I do. Success is not a destination but rather a journey of continuous learning and growth. It involves taking risks, learning from failures, and persevering through challenges. Ultimately, success is about living a life that I am proud of and making a positive impact on the world around me.
For the Oenophile Institute, success is about creating a sense of community and opportunity. There is something special about opening a bottle and sharing it with others, regardless of their background or experience with wine. It’s a way to connect and bond over a common interest, to nurture honest and open communication, and to promote the change we want to see in the wine world.
Pricing:
- Drop-In Classes $30-$60+
- Masterclasses $50+
- Blind Tasting $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oneophileinstitute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oenophileinstitute/
