Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Tucker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Like all things, it started with my Mother. She’s a kind woman with the biggest and warmest heart, and she treats everyone the same. She taught me to be the same way. My first job was in the service industry, and 22 years later, I am still in the same industry. I love it.
I started learning about wine in 2012 at The Red Room in Encino. Trained by an Argentinean Sommelier named Fernando, I worked beside Fernando for 2+ years, and this is where I had my epiphany wine. It was 2013, and the wine was a 2003 Barolo Serralunga d’Alba that had been breathing for a bit.
In 2016, I moved back to Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo County, where I was born, and joined the local wine industry. For 3.5 years, I built a network of amazing friends/family/colleagues, pouring wine 5 days a week.
In May of 2020, Terroir To You was born. Conceptualized to bring a higher-end/deductive wine and food experience to the guests in their homes or vacation rentals.
In August of 2021, I passed my 2nd level Certified Sommelier exam through The Court of Masters Americas on the first try and scored with the highest score in “Service” with my proctor.
Between then and now, I have created wine lists and wine programs for businesses downtown, elevated private brands, trained winery staff, currently working as a mixologist at The Remedy, and have built Terroir To You into a brand that is recognized for its hospitality, private events, and most recently a global Champagne/Sparkling Wine Club.
Pushing the envelope in hospitality, cocktails, wine, and food is something I will always be interested in and will always do. Sharing that with new friends and family makes it all worth it. 🥂
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not by any means has the road been smooth. Entrepreneurship is not for the weak that’s for sure, and running a business by yourself is a gigantic challenge. But it’s the obstacles/challenges that give meaning to the word accomplishment, and it just feels better when you get through them. One of the biggest challenges is sustainability. In the world we live in today, where instant gratification is at our fingertips and attention spans dwindle by the second.. how do we stay ahead to find/create the newest trends that keep your clientele interested? I ask myself that question every day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Terroir To You LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Terroir To You was created 2 months into the first shutdown of 2020 to be able to bring a higher-end wine-tasting/food pairing experience to the privacy of your own home or vacation rental. I specialize in an in-depth deductive workshop that highlights the harmony between wine and food. Teaching the “Why” behind everything. Most folks know that they love wine, but they don’t know exactly why. I help connect those dots.
I create a customized flight of wines from all over the world and a pairing menu to match with the wines. I provide the stemware, stoneware, and everything else necessary.
I would say I am most known for my skills in hospitality, product knowledge, and the ability to connect with my guests in a way that they learn everything they want to learn without feeling intimidated by wine. Though Terroir To You is higher end, I keep it fun and my clients really seem to enjoy that.
The feeling my guests have after an event is what I am most proud of. When I see the faces light up and that moment of recognition sets in.. it makes me feel happy that I helped someone else.
Terroir To You is always expanding and open to putting something special together for you and your friends, family, and wine lovers alike.
You can email me at any time! The 3 bottle Champagne/Sparkling Wine Club is booming, and I would love for anyone in California who is interested to reach out and inquire! Being a Terroir To You club member does get you better pricing on private events as well as member pricing on bottle purchases through my online store at www.terroirtoyou.com
I would love to connect with anyone and everyone interested.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Aside from precautions that keep people safe and comfortable. Most people just want to continue to have a good time and live without fear or the constant stress that is an addition to daily life. For most of us, that’s hard enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.terroirtoyou.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/terroirtoyou
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/terroirtoyou
Image Credits
Headshots @thebrandfoto
