Beverage Professional

Melissa Graeff

Alexandria, VA addvl3@r.postjobfree.com 703-***-****

The Eastern Wine Bar July 2019 – present

Server/Bartender Washington, DC

Recommend food and wine pairings to guests in a popular, busy location on Capitol Hill

Maintain knowledge of a 40+ selection evolving BTG list

Taste new menu items with chef to determine best wine pairings

Understanding of classic cocktails as well as house developed cocktails

Kysela Père et Fils March 2018 - Present

Sales Representative Virginia and Washington, DC

Manage a portfolio of on and off-premise accounts in DC and Virginia

Conduct in store tastings - engage with consumers and buyers to sell wine, beer, and sake products

Maintain an active rolodex of contacts in the wine industry

Continuous prospecting of new accounts to increase territory and sales

Total Wine and More November 2016 – February 2018

Wine Supervisor Wine Team Member McLean, VA

Managed, coached, and trained a team of 6 wine associates through the 2019 holiday season in one of the top grossing stores

Led weekly team tastings for wine associates, managers and the support teams to learn about new products

Completed the “Total Wine Professional” (TWP) program – highest level of wine education offered through Total Wine

Became a French wine specialist and the “go-to” sales person for Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Rhône wines

Stone Tower Winery January 2016 – November 2019

Tasting Room Associate Leesburg, VA

Provided exceptional hospitality and customer service to guests at one of Northern Virginia’s most visited wineries

Educated guests by maintaining a thorough knowledge of Stone Tower’s wines, viticulture, and vinification practices

Conducted higher level winery experiences including seated tastings and tours

Served at formal food and wine pairing events

Managed and/or assisted with the setup, execution and tear-down of special events including corporate rentals, birthdays, bridal showers, and weddings

MetLife, Inc. June 2013 – December 2015

Government Relations Manager Washington, DC

Managed all aspects of MetLife’s $1.2 million political action committee program including employee receipts, candidate disbursements, and compliance reports

Drafted talking points and policy narrative for executive and legislative briefing documents to ensure company priorities are properly and consistently communicated

Executed PAC campaign which raised more than $150k annually for the PAC exceeding the goal presented to senior executives by 33%; drafted communications pieces for all five phases of the campaign;

Various political affairs positions September 2007 – June 2013

College Education

B.A. Political Science May 2007

Bob Jones University Greenville, SC

Beverage Education: Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers); WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Level 3 Award in Wine; WSET Level 4 Diploma in progress – expected completion October 2020; Certified Sake Professional (Sake Education Council); Certified Beer Server (Cicerone)

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