Each week, we feature three quick questions with someone bringing something creative, thoughtful, or downright fascinating to the food-and-wine scene here in Vermont and beyond.

We sat down with Melissa for three quick questions that offer a peek into her world.

1. What brought you from California to Vermont, and how has the move shaped what you’re doing now?

“I still run Enotrias based primarily in the Bay Area and wine country, where I manage private wine collections, handle appraisals, and do expert witness work, so I’m back and forth a bit. But here in Vermont, we’ve launched our catering business, Sunny Day, where we sell locally made bone broth out of a food trailer and, in the warmer months, run a custom-built ice cream cart for weddings and events. On our property, we’re working to open Maison Plas, a small event venue that will host private gatherings, possibly a supper club, and a small retail space. So the move has really expanded what we’re doing…it’s letting us build something personal and community-focused.”

2. For anyone building a wine collection, what’s the biggest mistake you see, or the one tip you’d give above all else?

“The number one thing is proper storage. Whether it’s off-site, a home cellar, or a wine fridge, you have to make sure it’s built with the right materials. I always choose wood racking over metal, and I’m very picky about bin sizes — they need to fit everything from a standard Cab bottle to something larger like Krug or Turley. Temperature, light, and humidity need to be consistent.

Wine refrigerators are a pet peeve…99% of them aren’t built to support bottles properly, either in weight or shape. I avoid them almost entirely.

After storage, the next big piece is provenance. Buy only from businesses with strong reputations so you never have to worry about fraud or mishandling. And lastly, organization is everything…you need to know what you have, when to drink it, or when to sell it if it’s for investment. If you’re not organized, you’ll lose track very quickly.”

3. What’s one behind-the-scenes moment from your work that captures the world of elite wine collecting?

“One of my recent projects was in Montecito, where a client — a major tech figure — spent four years constructing an incredible wine cellar. I spent a week organizing it, placing every bottle, and getting the entire collection set up so he could finally enjoy it. The cellar was inspired by ancient Roman architecture, and truly unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was such an honor to work on something of that scale. At this point, the collection is still growing, but I’d estimate it’s already worth around $750,000.”

Bonus Pour: What has surprised you the most about Vermont?

“While the general wine selection in grocery and convenience stores can be tough, there are real gems in Vermont. Salt & Bubbles is one, but places like Treviso in Rutland, Brix (also in Rutland), and The Tillerman in Bristol have incredibly thoughtful lists. The Tillerman’s list actually brought me to tears — it was so personal and beautifully curated. There’s real potential here, and I’m hoping to work with local shops to elevate their selections beyond the big supermarket brands.