It started with an idea to have a wine tasting with some friends. It’s grown into an LLC with a formal company name and large inventory of wines.
Swampscott resident Maia Gosselin has long had an insider’s view on wine as managing editor of Massachusetts Beverage Business, a magazine that covers beer, wine and spirits for the trade. And now, under Sip Wine Education, LLC, Gosselin is taking her wine around to area homes for tastings in a business that’s creating a buzz in the area.
“Maia’s wine tastings are not only a fun night out with friends, but a really great way to learn about new types of wine that you might now try otherwise,” said Swampscott’s Kelly Bilodeau, whose children attend the same elementary school in Swampscott as Gosselin’s. “I used to tend to stick to the same type and brand of wine every time. But learning more about different types of wine and having the opportunity to taste them has made me much more adventurous. I also learned that great wine doesn’t have to break the bank. Maia showed us that the quality of the wine isn’t always reflected in the price tag.”
Tasters attending Sip Wine Education, LLC’s event get a list of all the wines they tasted at the party and information about them.
“It’s great to take with you when you go wine shopping for a bottle to bring to party or dinner at a friend’s house,” Bilodeau said.
This week, the Swampscott Reporter catches up with Gosselin for a QA:
Name: Maia Gosselin
Age: 41
Lives now: Swampscott
Native of: New England. I was born in Ohio, came East at the age of 1 and lived in New England (Rhode Island and Massachusetts) most of my life with the exception of one year in Austria when I was five. I have been in the Greater Boston area since I was nine.
High school and year graduated: Noble Greenough, Dedham, 1988
College and year graduated: BA from UMass in English, 1993, and MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons, 1999
What did you do out of college? I was a bartender and freelance writer until I became an editor.
What had been your specialty (or your career skills) before you ventured into the wine business? Writing and editing; range of topics from food and beverage to weddings to travel and tourism. My particular area of expertise is the beverage alcohol industry — in addition to owning Sip Wine Education, I am the managing editor for Massachusetts Beverage Business, a magazine that covers beer, wine and spirits for the trade.
How did you get into this? What was the motivation? My husband Emil actually had the idea for this about a year ago. As a magazine editor, I’m always hearing about great new wines or learning about interesting varietals and growing trends. We have wonderful wine writers! As such, I’m exposed to a great deal of information that the average consumer is not. My husband thought it would be fun if I organized a wine tasting with some friends, similar to a book club. I did a few purely for fun with a group of mothers from my youngest daughter’s preschool. Then I brought the concept to my neighborhood friends and we’ve done a few — someone different hosts each time. From there it slowly began to grow via word-of-mouth — a friend wants to do one with her neighborhood or someone else hears about it and does it with their group.
How is the business doing now? I’m thrilled with the way things are developing! The business Sip Wine Education, LLC was officially formed in December although I had done a number of both in-home and larger tastings prior to that. I’m growing it organically and intentionally slowly. Currently, I might do two tastings a month, although in March I had three. I have young daughters so I work part-time from home and split my time doing both editing and working on this business.
In addition to the in-home education I seem to be developing a niche for larger tastings in the form of benefits/fundraisers. I did a couple last fall at the library, and I just presented a very large wine tasting as a benefit for the non-profit Jumpstart. It was held at the Blythswood mansion here in Swampscott. We had an amazing turnout of 100+ guests, and the event was a tremendous success! My friend is running the marathon to raise money for Jumpstart, and she works for a wine company in Boston called 90+ Cellars. They were generous enough to donate the wines.
Who is your biggest customer, and how are your sales? As for my biggest customer I would say it is groups of friends who want to get together for a fun evening, sip wines and learn about them in a comfortable setting. When I do a tasting I bring detailed notes for everyone and list the area stores that carry the wines. I never divulge prices until people have tasted a wine. A price, much like a label, can predetermine whether or not someone likes a wine. I would say that the majority of winners at all of my tastings have all been very budget friendly. I love discovering great deals. You can spend $25 and get a great bottle of wine. You can also spend $9 and get a great bottle. Conversely, you can just as easily get a lousy bottle of wine. I help people find the hidden gems and broaden their wine-buying spectrum.
For pricing the guests pay $20 each and the hostess is complimentary. Group sizes are 12 to 20 people, although it can be larger. I also will do a flat fee if the host wants to pay for the entire event.
Where do you get the inventory? I mainly purchase wines from a variety of stores in the area, in particular Busa Wine Spirits in Salem and Vinnin Square Liquors in Swampscott, although if I find a great deal anywhere I’m on it! I am also working on growing my relationships with wine companies, public relations firms and wholesale companies.
What kind of need is your business solving for clients? Many people enjoy wine but would like to learn more about it. However, wine can be intimidating and taking a class or attending a formal tasting is not for everyone. I bring wine education to people in an informal, fun and informative way. It’s a great format for people to learn — they’re comfortable in the home setting. I can lead the tasting, talk about the wines and do some education. People are able to ask more questions in this type of a setting as well.
Are there others out there like you? In this area? Beyond this area? There are other wine education businesses, which operate more as schools and some retail liquor stores offer in-home tastings. However, I think I’m unique in what I’m doing. I’m independent so I don’t have to promote any particular brand; just what works with my theme and what I or my client likes. Also, I’m outgoing and approachable about wine. I bring a lot from my background in the hospitality industry – I know how to organize and run an event, whether small or large.
In addition to my LLC, I am also TIPS trained (alcohol certification). I would like to make the point that I operate as an educator, not a bartender or caterer. People get tastes of wine (1½ to 2 ounces each), not whole glasses. But at the end if people want to sample a wine or two again that’s never been an issue.
Gosselin can be reached be email at maia@sipwineboston.com or web: www.sipwineboston.com