Food & Wine — About Us

Blake Leland is our newest wine specialist and addition to Bottle Shop. Get to know him with our rapid fire wine Q&A: Can you tell us how long you have been in the wine industry and how the taste profile of wine lovers have evolved? The year was 2000. In my experience I’ve noticed more wine drinkers are expanding out of their comfort zone.  And with the help of smart phones, they can look up certain wine characteristics and hone in on their specific profile(s).   What was the wine that got you hooked? Honestly, when I tried a 1966 Chateau Lafite,...

Our Founder Christina Coulourides recently sat down with Gene Valdez of CEO to Rainmaker and shared her success as a wine importer and retailer. Get the scoop on the history of Plume Ridge and the mission of Bottle Shop.  Click here for the Podcast.  

  Q & A with Nanette Berning-Pate (Pictured above at Wynn, Las Vegas) What inspired you to pursuing the culinary arts?  Being raised in a family that loved to eat great food, I have always been fascinated with all aspects of cooking.  I began baking at an early age with my Grandpa. We baked cakes and cookies. I moved on to making meals for my family as a teen. Pleasing family and friends with my culinary creations has always been a source of pleasure for me.   After culinary school I began my career as a hotel chef before moving...

Following family tradition, PR Bottle Shop's founder Christina Coulourides has been involved in the wine industry for over 40 years. She shares her expertise below and her approach to wine as an essential part of life. Q & A with Christina Coulourides What is your favorite wine quote and why? “Wine is one of the agreeable and essential ingredients of life.” Julia Child. Julia Child continues to be an inspiration, teaching Americans how to enjoy food and wine thereby enhancing lifestyle. Often her message is delivered humbly, seasoned with humor. What sparked your interest in wine? In the 1980s when the California...

  Monica Yu is our Wine Buyer and has been a part of Plume Ridge Bottle Shop since inception. She is responsible for sourcing wines from all regions and follows our philosophy of wine as a lifestyle and wine, like food, must be fastidiously chosen. Monica has traveled throughout France and Spain studying local wine and cuisine. She also has a WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine, an expert-level qualification covering all aspects of wine. Her favorite wine quotes are: "Life is too short to drink bad wine" and "There is never a bad time to drink Champagne".  Q & A with...