S02 EP1: Inez Ribustello, Sommelier to Brewer - Life After Windows

<div class="">Inez Ribustello, got her start in the world of food and wine after moving to New York City to pursue a career in cooking. She chose New York’s Institute of Culinary Education to jumpstart her new path, where she began to learn about wine.</div> <div class="">From there, she worked at Best Cellars, the groundbreaking, mid-priced wine store on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Her wine career took a huge leap forward when she became an Assistant Cellar Master at the renowned World Trade Center restaurant Windows on the World. In a very short time, she was promoted to Beverage Director, putting her in the position as wine buyer for the largest grossing restaurant in North America. </div> <div class=""> </div> <div class="">The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 impacted her both personally and professionally.</div> <div class="">Having lost friends, colleagues, and her job in the attacks, she had to face her future.</div> <div class="">Ultimately she returned to her hometown with her fiancé (now husband), Stephen. Together they opened their own restaurant, wine bar, and retail store called On the Square. The wine list at On the Square holds the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.</div> <div class="">Inspired by Best Cellars, they created a user-friendly, non-intimidating wine list, which was well received by both customers and press in the Eastern North Carolina region.  </div> <div class="">In 2009, Inez was 2nd runner-up in the Best Sommelier in America competition held in New York City. She is a member of the Alumni Hall of Fame for the Institute of Culinary Education and a graduate of the Court of Master Sommelier’s Advanced Exam.  </div> <div class=""> </div> <div class="">Inez’ next big venture was Tarboro Brewing Company, a microbrewery that started brewing  in February of 2016.  Almost a year later, she and her husband opened a satellite taproom serving tacos in the Rocky Mount Mills.  </div> <div class=""> Stephen and Inez have two 2 children that they absolutely adore.