https://www.pairingpaws.com/about daily 0.75 2025-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6273164d901e282507c74070/6736d688-6ddb-49e9-bdcc-0d8b865d43b1/Sommelier About the Author - Sommelier and animal lover. — Michele Gargiulo’s journey through the beverage industry began at the Culinary Institute of America, where a required wine class sparked her passion. Inspired by her professor, Michael Weiss, who described wine as "living poetry," Michele became a tutor for the course while completing her bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Her professional career launched at Savona on Philadelphia’s Main Line, where she spent four years as a Sommelier, hosting weekly wine tastings and monthly wine dinners. During this time, she also represented Angel’s Envy as a Whiskey Guardian, expanding her expertise in spirits. Michele later joined Steven Starr’s Barclay Prime before taking on a prominent role at the Four Seasons Philadelphia's Jean-Georges, perched atop the iconic Comcast building. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and opportunities. Michele relocated to South Carolina to manage a restaurant during the Northeast’s lockdown and used this time to author her first book, Pairing Paws: Dog Breeds and Their Spirit Wines. Her second book, How to Build a Wine List, debuted in 2023, with Pairing Paws: Cat Breeds and Their Spirit Wines anticipated for release in summer 2025. Michele has also served as the Wine & Beverage Director for Fearless Restaurant Group, overseeing the beverage programs of 10 restaurants across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In late 2023, she and her husband launched EnergyDrinkRatings.com, a crowd-sourced rating platform for energy drinks inspired by Vivino’s success in the wine industry. Now, with her website gaining significant traction and her innovative ideas continuing to advance the beverage industry, Michele is at the forefront of blending creativity and expertise. Currently, she works at the Four Seasons Philadelphia at Jean-Georges while continuing to explore bold new projects that push the boundaries of beverage culture. You can learn more about her on her personal website: www.michelegargiulo.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6273164d901e282507c74070/488b3138-bf7e-4efa-8428-a87612901923/michele-10.jpg About the Author - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.pairingpaws.com/home daily 1.0 2025-04-22 https://www.pairingpaws.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-07-01 https://www.pairingpaws.com/sommelier-stories-press daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://www.pairingpaws.com/sommelier-stories-press/p/ct-des-blondes monthly 0.5 2022-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6273164d901e282507c74070/1660503233825-M6MY1J678R9EI9EZJFRU/preview-racerback-tank-top-5598106-scene-01.png Sommelier Stories Press - Côté des Blondes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6273164d901e282507c74070/1660503246369-L7B3YG9MBKCAG6CWCPTK/Screen+Shot+2022-08-14+at+2.52.26+PM.png Sommelier Stories Press - Côté des Blondes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6273164d901e282507c74070/1660503247679-GBHW1FPINWG4ZO0Z1Q1L/Screen+Shot+2022-08-14+at+2.52.44+PM.png Sommelier Stories Press - 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It all began with the COVID-19 lockdown. I was stuck in my 800 square foot apartment with only my dog, Riesling, for company. I started to pair her with wines every day based on her mood. Some days she was a sweet Riesling, others a bone-dry one (depending on her attitude!). I saw articles about all the animals being adopted from shelters, and the worry that after the lockdown, people would realize they were too busy, and return them. I wondered how the shelters would financially be able to take care of all of them, seeing as they relied heavily on fund raisers (which were canceled until further notice). I decided to write my book, pairing the personality of dog breeds with wines that had similar characteristics. Half of all profits will be donated to shelters and animal rescues in Philadelphia.