Wine Two Five is an entertaining podcast series featuring wine educators who like to drink their homework & have fun learning. Steph & Val believe in wine with lunch and not punching a clock when pulling a cork. In other words, drinking every day – any time of the day – is acceptable. And classy.
From 2015 to 2019 we provided our listener community with a weekly pour of wine edu-tainment, fun, and encouragement to try new things to enhance their wine-sipping lifestyle.
Who are the ladies behind the Wine Two Five Podcast?
Stephanie Davis (Steph) and Valerie Caruso (Val) are wine educators who met in a study group in 2014 as they both sought their Certified Wine Educator (CWE) credential. Being geographically separated, the group recorded their Sunday morning study sessions in a conference call. If a group member missed a session they call in and listen on-demand. This idea led to the podcasts which offer information that industry and non-industry wine lovers alike can access any time.
Stephanie Davis, CS, CWE, FWS
Stephanie is a wine educator, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador with Kazzit and Women of the Vine & Spirits. Stephanie’s thirst for wine knowledge began in 2007 when she imagined transforming her life and becoming a wine professional. She left her 12 year career as a pharmacist in 2015 to give all her attention to her wine interests. Now Stephanie connects people and builds relationships in the wine lifestyle and edutainment spaces. When she’s not behind the microphone or attending wine events, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband in Fort Collins, CO, cooking, reading and traveling.
Credentials include: CWE, CS, FWS and WSET Level 3 Advanced Certified
Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS
Valerie packed two bags after retiring from a 25-year military career and moved to Italy for a year to study wine at an International Culinary Institute. She returned to Italy several more times for writing projects, advanced Italian language studies, and then to France for advanced French language and French wine studies at another Culinary Academy. Val was hooked. She launched Vino With Val, LLC, a wine education service in Colorado Springs after a few years working DTC sales. She is a wine educator, speaker and enthusiastic presenter who offers a unique wine tasting experience and customized entertainment options for her clients & guests. Val continues to produce wine education podcasts for clients and launched Glass in Session® Winecast in Spring 2019.
Credentials include: WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits (DWS), CWE, FWS and the Champagne Master-Level Certificate from the Wine Scholar Guild.
Why Wine Two Five?
Wine Two Five is more than just a play on words that may or may not insinuate we drink from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Despite the fact that some of our friends may believe we do just that, we truly do not. However, we believe strongly in:
1) Wine with lunch? Yes, please. We do not see a problem with it, and encourage it (in moderation, of course).
2) That whole “Five o’clock somewhere” thing is hooey. We do not believe a clock should determine when we pull a cork. We are all big girls and boys and if we’re having Tapas for lunch at 11 a.m. and there’s Sherry nearby? Yes, please. A glass of Chardonnay with chicken salad at noon? Don’t mind if we do.
Sip Responsibly
Do we believe in getting tanked at lunch and then returning to work in an attempt to be productive? Absolutely not! Again, moderation and discerning your situation for imbibing during the day is incumbent on you, but again, not the clock itself.
Interstate W25
Additionally, Val & Steph live at either end of Interstate 25 in Colorado. In order to get together to study, taste or collaborate in person there is about a 2.5-hour drive involved for one or the other. The Wine Two Five Podcast was born. We affectionately shorten it to W25 or #W25.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is primarily to entertain our listeners, but also to educate and even empower the consumer with fun and useful information about wine, wine tasting, wine buying, or wine culture.
The world of wine can sometimes be perceived as snobby and intimidating, so we want to help answer those burning wine questions, misconceptions or make sense of current topics. We strive to take the often touted “rules” and help turn them into “tools” the listener can use to further enhance their enjoyment of wine.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide listeners with a resource for getting facts and having fun with wine. We aim to help you get out of wine ruts, learn about and find new favorites or entertaining options, highlight products, or spotlight special events or venues across the country, to include educational opportunities, books, or videos.
Most importantly, every time you pour a glass and hear that jazzy intro & silky “It’s not 5 o’clock … and they don’t care!” you smile, relax and sip your way to a better wine tomorrow.
Media Materials
Listen to Wine Two Five
The episodes are still there for your enjoyment.
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However you choose to enjoy Wine Two Five, we hope you have glass of something lovely nearby.
Cheers ~
Val & Steph