OCT NIBJ: Wine in Idaho — gifts, clubs, tastings and more
CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And Beth Giacomo has proven her way in the wine industry by catering to enthusiasts and novices alike, spreading joy through a glass of wine.
Giacomo’s wine shop is one of a kind, offering a variety of clubs and tastings while giving the community a unique place to shop for wine and gifts. For those who are indecisive or unsure what to give others, that’s where Giacomo’s shop shines. Noted throughout her website, wine4youonline.com, Giacomo is an expert at selecting wines to best fit her customers.
“Her wine expertise, passion and ability to find the perfect bottle for any preference is unmatched,” said wine club member Craig M. on her site.
A Michigan native, Giacomo rediscovered her love of mountainous scenery after an extended visit to Sandpoint turned her dreams into reality. Where the mountains meet the lake, Giacomo immersed herself in her profession as a wine distributor, uncovering a passion she never knew she had — bringing wine to people.
Giacomo spent about 15 years in the wine business, traveling throughout the Idaho Panhandle building lasting connections of wine shops and connoisseurs.
When COVID brought an unexpected setback from a lost job, Giacomo was left wondering what was next.
Before landing back on her feet at a new wine distribution company, Giacomo recalls missing the opportunity to share and sell wine to the community, leading her to the realization of the burning passion she had for sharing wine.
“It’s funny because people ask, ‘what’s your passion?’ and I thought I really wasn’t passionate about anything,” said Giacomo. “And I realized when I wasn’t selling wine for eight months that I just missed it so bad. I’m very passionate about what I do, I love sharing it (wine) with people.”
Giacomo’s passion for wine wasn’t newfound, but the realization of it was.
In 2020, Giacomo saw the community’s need for a unique wine club, noting that there wasn’t a designated club in the area. The start of her first wine club kicked off her entrepreneurial journey and paved the way for all her current and future endeavors.
Now, she offers four wine clubs, two monthly and two quarterly, which feature hand-selected bottles, tasting notes and recommendations, member discounts and more.
Adding fuel to the fire, Giacomo began offering wine tastings at Baxter’s Back Door, a downtown Sandpoint wine and craft beer bar.
“My wine clubs kept growing, and the tastings kept growing and I was growing. I had lots of wine, and I thought ‘this is silly, I should open a wine shop,” said Giacomo.
Wine4U was established shortly after.
Now, Giacomo runs her shop and offers four wine clubs, monthly wine tastings, private tastings for events, along with an assortment of wines and gifts from around the world, all in Sandpoint.
"I want people to feel comfortable to come here and have a glass of wine, I'm so excited to see this place grow and blossom." said Giacomo. "I love sharing my experiences with people."
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