Flagstaff Featured Business: Sippin’ Pretty Wine Tasting
(as published in the February 5 edition of The Community Press)
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press.
Sippin’ Pretty
Wine Tasting Experience
780-385-4128
www.sippinprettywinetasting.com
For Jacqueline Chevraux, wine tasting is all about the experience – an experience that should be savoured and shared.
Recognizing a business opportunity in this part of rural Alberta involving her passion for wine culture, the school teacher launched Sippin’ Pretty in November – on the same day she passed her Level 1 sommelier course.
Chevraux is now available to share her love and knowledge of the long-celebrated and venerable beverage with others in Flagstaff County and neighbouring communities, including the Camrose, Provost, and Wainwright regions.
“It’s a way to get the wine culture and the experience of wine tasting, out there,” she says of the motivation behind her venture. “It’s about connecting people. I love visiting. I love being around people and making connections.
“For me, the reason why I started with this is because I’m passionate about wine and I’m passionate about getting to know other people and connecting. So, this was just a perfect way to get to know more people in my hometown and to share my love for wine with them.”
Her business moniker isn’t just a fun play on words. It’s also a clever call to action and a gentle reminder that wine is to be savoured.
“It’s based off of the experience that I will be providing,” she notes. “It’s wine. So, you’re not chugging it. It’s not a beer. You sip it. And usually when people are having a glass of wine, they want to look the part. They want to look the pretty part. So, I got Sippin’ Pretty from just the culture of wine.”
Chevraux offers a variety of services for a wide range of available wines, from full-bodied French Sauternes to light-bodied Beaujolais. Simply let her know your preference. Chevraux will choose the wines and the pairings.
“I can do one-on-one services,” she explains. “So, let’s say you were hosting an event and weren’t sure what kind of wines you wanted to be paired with the foods that you were providing at your event.
“I can provide a one-on-one service where I do some research for you. We sit down together, do some tastings, and then from there we can go on to what you need.”
Learn about the three steps to wine tasting: how to identify the different colours, aromas, and structures of wine.
Beyond one-on-one services, Chevraux also offers options for community, business and home events.
“A business and community event would be a bit different from the home event because you’re getting wine and just getting to taste and enjoy,” she notes, “while the home event, I’m going to be teaching you how to taste the wine and how to enjoy the wine and we’re going to be digging deeper into the food pairings.”
The novelty of her business, of course, is a strong selling point for Chevraux.
“This is unique. There are not a whole lot of businesses like this in Alberta,” she says. “If you want to get a wine tasting experience, you’re going to a wine Tapas or any kind of restaurant. That’s where you’re mostly getting it. So, I’m bringing a winery to you.”
Plus, she’s re-creating the experience.
“You’re not just getting the wines from me. You’re getting the entire experience. I am trying to make this the most professional winery-type deal I possibly can,” she says. “So, what sets me apart is you are going to learn how to properly taste the wines. You’re going to learn all about wines, and also, I want to hear about you. Tell me about your life and I’ll share with you what I love. So, you’re also getting me in the package.”
Chevraux took her Level 1 sommelier course from the international Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). In order to delve “deeper into wines,” she’ll soon be taking the Level 2 course.
Her passion for wine ripened with family trips to various wineries in Kelowna.
“I go out to B.C. every summer, so why not hit up Kelowna and all their wineries? My favourite winery is Mission Hill. I try to stop there every summer because it is my favourite,” she adds. “So that’s part of what I bring, too, is I want to bring Kelowna to you.”
Running a business venture in the Flagstaff Region comes with many inherent benefits, according to Chevraux.
“One of the major benefits is that this is my home. And the best thing about being a small business in your home is I know almost everyone and almost everyone knows me. It’s that community trust that I have,” she explains.
“The other awesome thing is since I know everyone, I know all the businesses. I am comfortable with getting partnerships. I’m comfortable with working with other companies because I know the people and I think that’s the biggest benefit to having a small-town business.”
Chevraux is grateful for what she refers to as the “amazing” community support she has already experienced in launching her venture.
“I didn’t realize how much this would take off, but it really has,” she says.
Among her most fervent supporters are Karla Ness of Elegant Event Rentals and Adam Watkins of Railside Spirits.
“She (Ness) has gotten me in to do events for her. She has hooked me up with other people’s events. She has helped me with brides because as a bride, you maybe don’t know what kind of wine you need at your table, so that has helped,” Chevraux explains.
“And if I need a wine, he (Watkins) will be able to provide it for me and he is always there. So, I have got so much support from my community and it’s wonderful to see.”
Asked to gaze two to five years into the future, Chevraux says her sights are set firmly on personal growth and professional expansion. Beyond possibly attaining her Level 3 sommelier distinction, Chevraux is looking at developing more partnerships – with businesses both in and out of the region.
“I’m hoping people really bite at this and really enjoy what I have to bring. I also see myself, perhaps, having a bit more partnerships with other community businesses – maybe some actual wineries out in the Okanagan area, so that I can have imports come straight to me.
“The other thing I would really like to see is – this is a really big stretch, more like a 10, 15, 20-year dream, but maybe even having a storefront so people have an exact location to go to. I mean I’d still be big into bringing it into your home, but at least I would have a physical location that you could visit.”
Chevraux has some sage advice for those thinking of starting up a small business: “Go for it. You have a dream, why not chase it? I just started this up because I like wine and I like to get to know people and because I saw an opportunity. And it has blossomed overnight. It has gone so much faster than I ever thought it would,” she explains.
After you “go for it,” finding and developing partnerships is vital to sustainability and long-term success, says Chevraux.
“Reach out to another business within your community. And I mean nine times out of 10 they are more than happy to help you because they’ve been there. They know what it’s like to start up. They are willing to help you and give you advice and support you. That is huge.
As published in the February 5 edition of The Community Press – on newsstands today or purchase a digital copy below. Never miss an issue, become a SUBSCRIBER today!
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press. For more information, contact Jenalee Waring, Economic Development Coordinator, at 780-384-4152.
