Alicia Cuadra

I began my love of wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and my journey brought me over the hill to Sycamore Creek Vineyards; a diamond in the rough in the Santa Clara Valley sub-AVA of the Central Coast. There I began my love of the vine, and worked every aspect of the winery from hospitality and sales, to marketing, compliance, operations, blending and some winemaking. I began as a Tasting Room Associate, and stayed until they sold in 2015 when I was the Assistant General Manager. During this time I also passed my level 1 and 2 certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, worked part-time at a few restaurants to get more experience, and earned a BA from San Jose State in Graphic Design.

I have taken a variety of classes through UC Davis, the Guild of Sommeliers, and the San Francisco Wine School. I’ve worked all aspects of the winery, and also restaurant floors as a server, Sommelier, and Food & Beverage Manager in the South San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay areas.

I provide consulting services for restaurants and small wineries including label design, compliance assistance, wine list creation, and more. I facilitate private tasting events, and I have done publication writing and judging. I saber bottles of Champagne and provide cellar consultations as well. 

I am also working with Cabrillo College as an instructor in their newly re-vamped Wine Certificate program, and I love to teach people about wine. I’m looking toward my Certified Wine Educator next year, as well as Advanced level through the Court of Master Sommeliers.