Meet Romina Mendoza | Wine Specialist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Romina Mendoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Romina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of Cavalier Wine Society is the passion and love we, Christian Caballero and I, have for sharing the best wines, the best education and being able to connect with others who also celebrate what wine brings to the table.

We believe life is about sharing what you love and that will reward you with more than you could ever dream.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Cavalier Wine Society started on March 2nd, 2021, with only 8 students and, last time I counted, we are now +45 people that have studied and tasted wines in our classroom.

I am proud of each one of them. I am fortunate to get to know them and it is a personal pleasure to get to follow their development. It is always fun when people start tasting wine the look on their face when I start expressing the aromas, it is almost always an incredulous look but then, as they keep tasting, developing their olfactory memory, and gaining confidence I notice their deeper appreciation on wine.

We are constantly creating new programs, new wine tasting ideas, new projects within the business. We currently carry a basic wine course, two specialty courses – French Wine and Wines of the USA -, we organize wine tasting events and have other programs on the works.

Learning about wine is exciting and sharing what I have learned along the way is every day’s motivation. Wine is much more than just an alcoholic drink, it can take you somewhere perhaps you have never visit, understand different cultures, people, have respect for the world, life itself and ecosystem we live in, and you dig deeper you may also get a glimpse of the importance of chemistry in our world.

In every business, and through the years, I have had challenges, but I think that if you really want something you will make it you purpose and go for whatever that is. Hard work, dedication, consistency, and don´t ever forget to have fun.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego & Baja California is filled with fun, exciting people, and places. I love showing people around town when they come to visit, spoiler alert most of it is eating and drinking with a view.

I will definitively drive south to Mexico´s most important wine region.

Valle de Guadalupe
Wineries: Viñas del Sol for a biodynamic wine experience, Lechuza Winery, the first wine to appear in acclaimed American restaurant – The French Laundry -, Vinos Plata, small but delish wines, Villa Montefiori – Italian influenced wines -, Lomita for a nice view and one of the biggest wineries in Baja California and Solar Fortún for a different terroir (scenery). Whichever winery you choose, you will disconnect from the city.

Restaurants: Animalón or Fauna for sure. Tobá for a Mediterranean experience and the foodtruck at Adobe Guadalupe if you want nice meal without spending too much.

Ensenada:
Drinks: Cantina Hussongs – the place where the Margarita was invented.
Breweries: Agua Mala, Wendtland, Transpeninsular
Food: Mariscos El Güero or La Guerrerense – street tostadas, La Jurelina, Madre, Boules,

Tijuana:
Restaurants: Verde y Crema – delish food in famous Revolución street, Kool – low intervention wines & great food (MUST order flautas de papa), Cevichería Nais for seafood tostadas and tacos, Baja Med Restaurant (formerly know as La Querencia) – whatever the chef´s recommendation is going to be good, Villa Saverios for a more classic seating, Caccio if you are searching for italian food, Casa Plascencia for Tacos de Cachete (PLEASE don´t google it, just eat it, I promise it will be worth it)

Drinks: Insurgente Brewery, Nortico (speakeasy at Oryx Restaurant), Enzo for a glass of wine, Transpeninsular for a glass of mezcal and tacos.

San Diego:
Picnic at Balboa Park, walk at the beach either Coronado Beach or La Jolla, walk at Seaport Village.
Wine Bars:/shops Clos Wine Shop, Vino Carta or The Rose Wine Bar, Bottlecraft.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story is made because of the people I have encountered in my life, and I have been fortunate enough to have met extraordinary people along my way. The wine industry is very social, you get to meet a lot of people with different backgrounds, origins, and stories, that is what I love the most about it. I believe you can learn from each person you meet, even if it is only for a moment.

The most important shoutout will always be my mom and dad for their absolute support in every decision I have taken, and my friends, who have been with me every step of the journey. Obviously Christian Caballero, my friend and business partner, a key part of our business is having fun and we take that VERY seriously.

CampestreMag is a SD/Baja California local business operated and owned by kick ass ladies. It is an indie wine zine covering San Diego and Baja California, you must check it out.

Website: rmvino.com

Instagram: @rmvino_ or @cavalierwinesociety

Facebook: Romi Mendoza

Other: cavalierwine@gmail.com