Email address:Francesca.saks@live.com

Motto: Life Wide Open

Location: Malibu, California

Work place: Santa Barbara, California; multiple restaurants, private consultations, education

Best wine bargain: Chandon Brut Sparkling Wine. Always affordable and never disappointing. Great for sunset at the beach on short notice!

Your favorite varietal: Nebbiolo in all forms, Tempranillo. How do you pick just one favourite??

Best aphrodisiac: foie gras mousse with brandy raisin compote

Last bite on earth: roast duck

Adventurous food and wine pair: ‘Core Candy’ by Core
winery (Grenache late harvest) with chocolate caramel mousse cake and a shot of espresso; some people agree, some people think I am crazy!

Short bio:
Canadian by birth, designated with the International Sommelier Guild, and some studies with Court of the Master Sommelier and Spanish Wine Commission. Personal mission is to spread the love of wine to the masses by proving that an active sommelier can be female, well educated, non-patronizing, and helpful all at the same time!

Currently living in southern California, because all things are better when the sun is shining. Santa Barbara is an incredible wine region still coming into it’s own and it is always challenging to keep up with the developments and have only the best on hand for guests and clients. I also spend a significant amount of time teaching and training wine to high end restaurant servers, because an informed server is a great server!