Cara Bertone carries years of experience in hospitality and the wine industry. She is an Advanced Sommelier, a supplier for Folio Fine Wine Partners overseeing four states, and a mother of two. We are stoked to have her featured on #femmeFriday!
Roughly 17 years. I started in restaurants then left to sell wine in 2008 to have my nights and weekends back. I then worked for importers/distributors in SoCal for five years before moving to Austin and becoming a supplier. Currently, I work for Folio Fine Wine Partners managing four states.
In 2002 or 2003, I was given a pour of 1994 Harlan and never looked back.
Flexibility, travel, meeting new people and learning more than you thought you could about the wine industry.
Having my voice heard. I feel as a woman you have to work two times harder to prove your worth, if not more.
Have real conversations and listen. Do not make assumptions about anything. Lead with positivity.
Balance- the industry is dominated by numbers and competition. I feel with better balance you can achieve your goals through collective power.
More women in important managerial roles that are ready to change the rules.
You know more than you think, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!
Having a child of each gender over the past two years makes this question harder to answer than before children. Men and women are completely different at the core. It’s a matter of bringing together the best of each and understanding how to push for strengths from both genders. I think this where the balance comes in for question six. More brainstorming meetings similar to the ones you may have had in a college with a group project.
I mentor young professionals in the wine industry.
This could take forever. The women who choose to educate themselves and take risks. Subjecting yourself to failure is the only way to learn and progress the needle. There are a lot of Wonder Women that have influenced how I have gotten here, whether they know it or not.
MW Amy Christine- She and her husband have planted their own vineyard in Santa Barbara and it took her years to pass her exam.
Rebecca Hopkins- A Balanced Glass- She is trying to create space for mindfulness within our industry and constantly pushing old norms out of the picture.
Patti Signorile- VP Client Services for Young’s Market. She has pushed her way up the ladder and has never looked back. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. She’s also the best mom ever!