About Charlotte Chipperfield

A.K.A "The Palate" due to my impeccable ability to describe wine in the most ridiculous yet often accurate manner: "You know the smell of slightly burnt drift wood on the beach? Well, pour blackberries and raspberries all over it, that is what this wine smells like!" 

I am the Founder and Wine Educator of The Wine Key. I have over 10 years experience in the Wine Industry and Hospitality. I have worked as a Cellar Rat, (Yep! That's a real job title), Tasting Room Manager, Sommelier and Wine Writer. Through these experiences, I have seen a disconnect between wine knowledge and the enjoyment of wine. I am seeking to bridge the gap by removing the pretentiousness which only serves to intimidate.

I started The Wine Key because I am on a mission to remove the intimidation and trepidation of learning about wine by breaking down the barriers which mystify the world of wine. Ok, I may have also wanted 99% of my daily activities to center around wine. And no, I don't mean I have a straw attached to a bottle all day... for the record, that only happened once. ;)

When it comes down to it, wine is much more than a beverage. It has been enjoyed for thousands of years and transcends through history, culture, traditions, languages and food. It is a way of understanding where we came from, who we are and where we are going. Wine is a form of communication, expression and a source of utter enjoyment. 

When I'm not drinking copious amounts of wine, I drink vodka, scotch and sometimes sparkling water. I'm also a Cancer, love to travel and compete in open water swims. I am based in San Francisco but love hitting the road to visit other cities!

You can always reach me at charlotte@the-wine-key.com. 

I look forward to connecting and building meaningful wine experiences together!

 Santé,