Erica Catubig

 

During her childhood in Connecticut, Erica spent many weekends helping her family entertain. An instilled love of hospitality led her to college in Savannah, Georgia, and then to work with experimental wineries in the Hudson Valley. As Head of Education and Culture at Départ Wine, a new wine retail concept that emphasizes the human connections to the land, the human consequences of wine production, and cherished human celebrations, Erica teaches in a way that makes wine accessible to marginalized groups while highlighting BIPOC, LGBTQ people and producers dedicated to sustainable packaging and restorative practices. She previously worked as a wine director, corporate beverage educator, and fine dining sommelier. A perpetual optimist, Erica’s approach to learning is welcoming and engaging.

“In our careers, we strive to learn from and become leaders who we admire. When we are in positions of power, the best way to uplift other women is to bring them along with us,” says Erica. “In my everyday life, I uplift other women by prioritizing the value of emotional intelligence, something that in many corporate structures is known as "women's work". There's value in care, value in empathy, and value in sharing the human experience. Women can be powerful but not rigid, cunning but empathetic. When we allow ourselves to show our multiplicity, we uplift other women to do the same.”

Erica, who is based in New York City, is a certified sommelier, Walter Clore scholarship awardee, Eater Young Gun (2015), and WSET certified.

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