Tell us about your current role?

I am one of the founding directors of Silex Wines Ltd. I look after the daily operations, credit control, social media, website development, logistics, stock handling, shipping and sales.

How did you first get into the drinks industry?

I started out in hospitality back in Nova Scotia as a part-time job and loved the friendly culture of it. I was always curious about wine and food, and despite wanting to go to culinary school to become a chef, I was ultimately talked out of it by a teacher in high school. I had an opportunity to move to London in 2011 and started working full-time in hospitality, alongside fantastic sommeliers and master sommeliers that really helped me along the way.

What is your favourite part about working in the industry? The relationships and connections
that you make. It’s such a small, interconnected world, and the people that you get to know
throughout this industry are incredible, and I still use those connections every day.

We’re meeting up for a drink after work – what are you having?

I’m drinking a dirty gin martini, a pint of Guinness or a glass of Champagne (not all at once!)

You can only have one drink for the rest of your life, what’s in your glass?

Champagne or Riesling….this is a hard question!

It’s Saturday night, what restaurant are you going to?

I love a cosy, casual spot or somewhere I can sit at the bar. I love Library Street here in Dublin and Lower Wine Bar or 10 Cases in London.

Is there a bucket list drink you want to try, or a dream drink destination you’d love to visit?

I don’t really have a bucket list drink to try as I’ve been fortunate enough throughout the years of living in London and working in the industry to try some pretty incredible vintages and wines, but a place I haven’t had the chance to visit yet is Germany. I would love to get into a few cellars in the Mosel and drink some older vintages of Riesling.

What is the most memorable experience of your career?

I think it would be moving to London in 2011, by myself, and starting my career here. I didn’t know anyone, harassed as many people as I could to get a job. I started at Gordon Ramsey’s in Chelsea and worked my way through some of the best spots in London to where I am now. Some of it wasn’t all positive, but they’ve made me who I am today, and it’s amazing to look back at how I grew and evolved through that.

One thing you’d like to see more of in the drinks industry?

Education in an approachable environment. I still find there is a stigma of pretentiousness and non-inclusion. I would really like to change that.

Any particular women you admire in the industry?

Claire Thevenot MS of Vins Clairs, Caroline Brangé-Ellis of Vin de Vie, and Ellen McNair of Liberty Wines. I’ve had the chance of working with or alongside them in the industry, and they’re smashing it out of the park at the moment. It’s great to see what they’re achieving.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a career in the industry?

1) Know what you want out of it first. If you don’t have a clear goal for each week, month, or
year, you will spin your tires and waste your time.

2) Make sure to take some time out for yourself regularly during the process so you can avoid
burnout. You don’t need to do it all.

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Connect with Sarah on Instagram, and follow Silex Wines here.