Karola Cavagna
Executive Manager
~ Scout & Cellar Wines ~
The company Scout and Cellar was founded by Sarah Shadonix a former lawyer turned sommelier. She kept getting headaches drinking wine and she couldn't continue on this path if the wine kept giving her headaches. She did some research and found out what mass produced wine contained and wanted better. So she created Scout and Cellar Clean Crafted wines. The name means, We SCOUT the globe to find wines to put into your CELLAR.
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Copa: Karola, where are you from?
Karola: I was born in Germany and am still a German citizen, I'm a military brat and later in life became a military spouse so have lived many places. Was able to go back to Germany when we were stationed there and got to see my grandmother after 30 years. We had 2 great years catching up and my girls got to meet their great grandmother. We did lots of traveling in the 9 years we were there. It was the best experience I've ever had.
Karola: I was born in Germany and am still a German citizen, I'm a military brat and later in life became a military spouse so have lived many places. Was able to go back to Germany when we were stationed there and got to see my grandmother after 30 years. We had 2 great years catching up and my girls got to meet their great grandmother. We did lots of traveling in the 9 years we were there. It was the best experience I've ever had.
Copa: At what time did you develop a taste for wine?
Karola: When I was young I never liked wine, the closest thing to wine I drank was Boone's Farm, lol. I didn't really start appreciating wine till I met my Italian husband. In my 20's I just drank very sweet white wines. He helped me learn to love red wine.
Karola: When I was young I never liked wine, the closest thing to wine I drank was Boone's Farm, lol. I didn't really start appreciating wine till I met my Italian husband. In my 20's I just drank very sweet white wines. He helped me learn to love red wine.
Copa: When did you join this Scout & Cellar Wines?
Karola: I decided to join this amazing company in 2019 because I never knew how much junk some wine companies put in their wines, I was floored. Everything we use to ship your wines is recyclable, or reusable. We try not to leave a bad imprint on our earth.
We are incredibly proud of every bottle of clean crafted wine, not only for the quality that is inside, but the way you get to experience the Scout and Cellar difference from the moment you order, down to the very last drop. It's our commitment to do the right thing for you, every time. If you don't like a bottle, you will get a credit in your profile and you can buy what you like. Whatever it takes so that you are 100% satisfied. Our 5 core values are, Do the right thing, Authenticity, Family, Transparency, and Passion.
Karola: I decided to join this amazing company in 2019 because I never knew how much junk some wine companies put in their wines, I was floored. Everything we use to ship your wines is recyclable, or reusable. We try not to leave a bad imprint on our earth.
We are incredibly proud of every bottle of clean crafted wine, not only for the quality that is inside, but the way you get to experience the Scout and Cellar difference from the moment you order, down to the very last drop. It's our commitment to do the right thing for you, every time. If you don't like a bottle, you will get a credit in your profile and you can buy what you like. Whatever it takes so that you are 100% satisfied. Our 5 core values are, Do the right thing, Authenticity, Family, Transparency, and Passion.
Copa: What makes your company's wine selections so unique?
Karola: The thing that makes our wine special, is the fact that it's real wine. We have NO added sugar, sulfites and none of our wineries use synthetic pesticides, so you are getting a real bottle of wine, you can be happy knowing your money is not buying a bottle of sugar and cancer causing things.
Karola: The thing that makes our wine special, is the fact that it's real wine. We have NO added sugar, sulfites and none of our wineries use synthetic pesticides, so you are getting a real bottle of wine, you can be happy knowing your money is not buying a bottle of sugar and cancer causing things.
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We deliver right to your door, or any Fedex or Walgreens for those that work during the day.
The wine club is fantastic. You have so many options to choose from. 4 bottles, 6, or 12, monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. All whites, all reds or a mix. You can pause it, change it when you want, and you always get free shipping with the wine club. Summer months our packaging is amazing. We make sure your wine gets to you safely and doesn't overheat with Safe ship. Of course everything we use is recyclable with Safe ship as well, the ice packs can be reused or cut open and poured down the drain. The boxes can be used for packing up breakables because it is all padded. |
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Copa: Do you have any personal favorites?
Karola: I really don't have a favorite, I love all wine, it really depends on my mood or what I am having for dinner or lunch also. In the summer I stick with whites for the refreshing coolness of the wine, nothing like a nice ice cold white on a hot summer day. |
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Copa: What are a few things one must really consider when purchasing wine?
Karola:
1. Grape Variety:
Karola:
1. Grape Variety:
- Most people know if they prefer red or white, or sparkling or rose', try a range of different varieties and take note of the characteristics. The best thing to do is research the flavors and aromas of each and see what appeals to you.
- You have to decide what price you want to pay for your wine. The more expensive is not always the way. Wine can be more expensive because of the region it came from or the brand name of the producer.
Have a price range you are willing to spend but don't stick to that always, sometimes splurging for a special occasion is a good thing and people appreciate it.
Often mass produced wines you find in supermarkets have a label designed to make it look like it's from a winery, but it's their own brand.
So should price be a factor in selecting a wine? Absolutely but as a budget not a guideline for quality.
- Food pairing shouldn't be the make or break of your wine choice. Unless you are doing a 7 course degustation and trying to match wines. Matching your food and wine can bring out some incredible flavors. Simple rule is serve a white wine with white meat and a red wine with red meat.
- For this. There is no right or wrong. Of course you want a Champagne or Prosecco or Sparkling wine for those really special occasions, but a good wine goes with anything, from your backyard BBQ or what we are in right now. A pandemic. Mid Day drinking is totally acceptable during a pandemic. lol
- Why should you consider the region when choosing a wine? Well, different grape varieties grow better or worse depending on the climate and landscape of the region. The best idea is to do some research on the region most regarded for the variety you enjoy. For example, cool climate regions like our Vente Malbec, this varietal is grown in one of the tallest and most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. with elevations as high as 20(Vente) thousand feet. At this elevation the air is thin and dry making it inhospitable for many pests that attack the vines, therefore eliminating the need for pesticides.
Stay open and be willing to try all kinds of wines, don't just stick to one, you never know what you might find.
Each wine will leave a little something with you and so does Mother Nature. So enjoy.
Copa: Pairing food with Wine: Would you please give our readers a few simple suggestions to start our with?
Karola: You want to match the wine to the most prominent element of the dish. Identify the dominate character, often it's the sauce, seasonings or cooking method, rather than the main ingredient. Consider two different chicken dishes: Chicken Marsala for instance, it has a browned surface and a sauce of dark wine and mushrooms, then take a chicken breast poached in a lemon sauce. The marsala you want to pair with a red and the Poached with a fresh white.
But really, Drink and eat what you like, look for balance, structure and texture matter, Look for flavor links and give consideration to age.
Karola: You want to match the wine to the most prominent element of the dish. Identify the dominate character, often it's the sauce, seasonings or cooking method, rather than the main ingredient. Consider two different chicken dishes: Chicken Marsala for instance, it has a browned surface and a sauce of dark wine and mushrooms, then take a chicken breast poached in a lemon sauce. The marsala you want to pair with a red and the Poached with a fresh white.
But really, Drink and eat what you like, look for balance, structure and texture matter, Look for flavor links and give consideration to age.
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Copa: Would you please share a little information on tasting events?
Karola: Things can become very exciting during tastings, it's really a lot of fun. I ask the hostess to have a charcuterie tray available, nothing more than that. You want the focus on the wine not the food and I don't want them to be overwhelmed, they should be enjoying the wine just like the guests. I bring the wine, you bring the fun. I discuss the wines I bring, I always bring 4 bottles, if the hostess wants more than that, then they pay for those extra. I bring a white, a red, rose and usually a bubbly to start when they first come in the door to welcome them. I like to ask questions to them about what they know about wine. It's funny sometimes when I get folks that don't know that Chardonnay is the name of the grape and not the name of the wine, it really is funny when they learn that. When I tell them the tasting notes of the wine, like it has notes of Strawberry or pepper, it's interesting that some tell me, Oh I can't have that wine because I'm allergic to Strawberries, I try to explain that there are NO strawberries in the wine, but some just won't drink it. With that being said, right now in our uncertain times, wine tastings have gone virtual. Which can be fun if you make it fun. I have had a few that I do trivia with and the winner gets a 'goodie' from me. It could be wine or something else, it all depends on how many people are at the event. I truly love what I do. Bringing people together for a beautiful glass of wine and to learn about what is and is not in our wine. We have so many amazing wines and gift sets for corporate gifting. Wine is always a great hostess gift when you go to someone's home for dinner, a new baby gift, cause you know, new mommies will need a drink. There are so many reasons to have a wine club with Scout and Cellar. You know what you are getting and we stand by what we offer. I would love to be your Wine Consultant. Thank you Rodney for this amazing opportunity. Cheers to you all! Karola Cavagna Executive Manager Scout and Cellar Wines. www.scoutandcellar.com/winewarrior |
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