Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/580744
118 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 I FIRST LEARNED OF RACHEL DRIVER FROM SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado, who had raved about her drive and knowledge. She is cur- rently a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as a Level 3 from the WSET. City Winery is a unique and exciting facility with a fully functioning winery, restaurant and music venue located in Chicago's booming West Loop neighborhood. Rachel is thoroughly dedicated to being the ultimate wine geek and has a passion for the travel and culture associated with wine. I recently stopped by City Winery to chat with Rachel about her thoughts on wine and the industry. Natalia Cardenas: How did your upbringing influence you as a sommelier? Rachel Driver : I'm from Ozark, Arkansas, which is surrounded by the Ozark National Forest. It's on the Pig Trail Scenic Byway near the Mulberry River. Growing up there very Rachel Driver Speckan Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois Mixologist Natalia Cardenas interviews WINE EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR, CITY WINERY, CHICAGO photo by Rebecca Peplinski Rachel Driver Speckan (left), Wine Education Director and Beverage Director for City Winery in Chicago, speaks with Natalia Cardenas, Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois Mixologist. Natalia Cardenas is Southern Wine & Spirits Illinois' Mixologist, the Director of its Advanced Mixology and Culinary Academy and also a Certified Spirits Specialist. She was previously the President of the United States Bartenders' Guild Chicago Chapter. Q: