“Wines of Sicily: Etna” with Emilia Aiello

Meet Emilia Aiello: “After hustling her way up the ladder in the NYC restaurant scene where she became the Wine & Beverage Director and later, General Manager, of Lupa Osteria Romana in Greenwich Village, Emilia has returned to her native Oakland to focus on her newest endeavor, Cittavino & Co., an online wine shop that focuses on southern Italian wines and accessible wine education. With extensive travel to Italy for grape harvests and terroir research, Emilia is a hands-on Italian wine specialist. In addition to her field work, Emilia is certified with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is one of the few certified Vinitaly International Italian Wine Ambassadors.”

Apart from and in Cittavino & Co., Emilia strives to diversify the wine industry as well as acknowledge the already diverse faces within the trade. She co-founded Juice for Justice, “a volunteer organization that hosts wine tasting fundraisers, at the onset of the COVID Pandemic in 2020. Juice for Justice is based on numerous principles: wine is not an elitist product diversification of the wine industry; recognition of the BIPOC that are already established in the industry; social justice awareness; and fostering the concept that wine is community.”

For over 25 years, Epicurean Exchange Culinary Education has been dedicated to connecting our audiences with the best of food and wine education in the region. We also strive to support new, forward-thinking, entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the lives and lifestyles of their customers. Join us for a unique evening of wine tasting, paired with small plates, with a chance to learn and discuss the wines of Southern Italy.

Seating is limited for this 90-minute program • Cost is $50 for food and 5-wine flight of Sicilian wines