For Larissa Dubose, Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), Certified Specialist of Wine (Society of Wine Educators), WSET Level 3, and Champagne Master Level (Wine Scholar Guild), wine isn’t just a drink. It’s a story. A legacy. A community in a glass.
Her journey began in 2010 on the wholesaler side in Baltimore, but a trip to Napa Valley in 2012 sealed her future.
“That trip changed my life. I knew then my world was meant to align with wine,” she says. By 2015, when she moved from distributor to supplier, the passion was undeniable. “That’s when I knew wine wasn’t just my career, wine was life.”
That shift opened doors into elite spaces: wine dinners, restaurants, and golf courses. The rooms weren’t always welcoming. As a Black woman leading those conversations, she often got puzzled looks. Instead of shrinking back, she leaned in.
“It didn’t confuse me, it empowered me. I was suddenly in the room, breaking bread, talking wine, and building connections with sommeliers.”
For Dubose, wine has always been about more than the pour.
“So many hands touch a bottle before it reaches you. Wine is an authentic expression of land, of people, of culture. It’s not just juice in a glass. It’s an experience you bring into your home.”
Showing Up Authentically
In a Eurocentric, male-dominated industry, Dubose never tried to blend in.
“We look at wine uniquely. Sometimes in informal settings, we simply ask, ‘Do you like it?’ That matters.”
She had to learn how to identify flavors and undertones that weren’t familiar.
“Gooseberry in sauvignon blanc? That wasn’t in my vocabulary growing up. But I learned the notes, how they smell, how they taste. And now, I get to create experiences that feel real and approachable.”
Breaking Down Intimidation
Her advice for beginners: “Start at your local wine shop, not a liquor store. Wine shops curate. They’ll tell you the story, maybe it’s Native American-made, women-led, or from South Africa. And if you don’t like it, give feedback. That just means the journey continues.”
Exploration doesn’t have to be expensive.
“For $15, you can have a whole experience.” She highlights Atlanta’s Black-owned shops Purple Corkscrew and Three Parks Wine Shop as the best places to start.
And the myths? She’s quick to correct them.
“Good wine doesn’t have to cost hundreds. Screw caps don’t mean cheap. And unless it’s from Champagne, France, it’s sparkling wine, not champagne.”
Pairings With Personality
Pairing wine with food doesn’t need to be formal. One of her favorites is fried chicken with sparkling wine.
“It’s indulgent, celebratory, and comforting. Honestly, sparkling wine goes with everything, even fries or chips. My rule? Profile, pairing, price. And trust your sommelier, they’ll ask the right questions.”
A Growing Community
Dubose sees progress around diversity and inclusion but knows more is needed.
“There are only four Black master sommeliers, and no women. We’re still building. But Atlanta’s wine community is beautiful. It’s growing, it’s inclusive, and it gives us space to build for future generations.”
For her, the perfect wine experience is simple: good food, good people, good wine, anywhere.
“Wine has been my passport to the life I love,” Dubose says. “It’s taken me around the world, connected me with people, and given me stories I never knew I needed to tell. Challenging, inspiring, frustrating, but always worth it.”