Tell us about your current role? 

I work as a Sales Representative and Wine Specialist at Grace Campbell Wines. We are a small wine importer focused on  Portuguese wines. 

My job isn’t just about selling wine, it’s about helping people discover how incredible Portuguese wines really are. I like helping people pronounce tricky grape names, understand Portuguese wine regions and DOCs, or decode Portuguese labels. I love making the world of Portuguese wine more approachable and less intimidating. My goal is to help customers feel confident exploring these wines and hopefully fall in love with them as much as I have. 

How did you first get into the food/drink industry? 

Back in Brazil, I used to be a translator and a teacher. When I got to Ireland in 2016, I couldn’t find a job in my area. I was desperate and applying for many jobs, and that’s how I got a part-time sales assistant job at O’Brien’s Wines (very random, I know).  What I didn’t know was that I was gonna fall in love with the wine world and never go back to my old job! 

What is your favourite part about working in the industry? 

I love meeting new people, learning new things every single day, and I am obsessed with the stories behind the labels.  I can’t believe how lucky I am! 

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

It depends on the weather =) 

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

Champagne (that was easy!)  

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

Unfair and hard to pick one, but I’m going with “Amai, by Viktor” in Dublin.  

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

I’d love to visit the wine regions in southern Brazil, which I still haven’t had the chance to explore yet—shame on me!  

The most memorable experience of your career? 

The Champagne Academy, no doubt. I’d give anything to go back in time and do it again. 

One thing you’d like to see more of in the hospitality (food/drink)  industry? 

I would love to see people trying different things and not going for obvious choices all the time.  

Are there any particular women you admire in the industry? 

So many! I’d be here writing all day.  

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

Just be yourself, be humble, don’t let people intimidate you, and just dive into the industry! Go to tastings, visit wineries, make connections, and study a lot! 

---

Follow Mariana here on Instagram and check out Grace Campbell Wines here.