Ali Rush Carscaden has been working in the wine industry for the past 8 years. Ali has worked for numerous local wineries including Castoro Cellars and Eberle. She graduated with a MS degree in Agriculture from Cal Poly and went to work for the Henry Wine Group as a fine wine specialist for 4 years.
Ali has completed the Advanced Certification with Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) as well as the certified exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers and can now use the term Certified Sommelier. Ali has taught numerous classes for Cal Poly State University in addition to teaching the intensive, multi-annual, 6 week long wine education courses offered at 15° C.
Our affable manager is a native of the Spanish Canary Islands-- a beautiful archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa in between Morocco and the Sahara Desert. These Islands are volcanic and set on dried beds of lava; creating an interesting terrain for the popularly cultivated grape, Malvasia. Canarian Islanders are well known for their rich and luscious cuisine-- which would explain why Ana is such a great chef. In addition, Ana has has much experience within the upper echelons of the service industry for some 5+ years, at some very sophisticated locations like the popular & exclusive London hot-spot, Home House Club.
Most important of all, this woman knows good wine; and, the bottles she favors have knack for flying off our shelves. This, along with an aptitude for cooking and charming carriage, endears Ana to our customers and staff alike. As of late, Ana’s favorite bottle is Codorníu’s Rose, a palatable rosado Cava known for its delightfully dry and zesty body. Since Ana has been with us, this bottle has kept up a healthy rotation within our cruvinét and continues to be an overall favorite.
