One of the things I miss most about travel is the chance encounters with strangers. Often it is just a temporary connection; perhaps a shared table at a crowded restaurant, or a conversation on the train. Which is, I think, how I originally met Sheila Donohue.
Five years later I connected with Sheila again, this time at a restaurant in Hollywood with a Michelin-star chef. As Sheila talked about the wines we were tasting, I could not shake a feeling of familiarity. Then again, I often feel this deep affinity with others who share a love of Italian food and wine. Either way, it has been a pleasure to reconnect with Sheila and discover her import company, Vero.
Vero, means real in Italian and gusto means taste. Real Italian wine and tastes.
Vineyards in the Langhe region of Piedmont
Who is Sheila and what is Vero all about?
Sheila is a native New Yorker and sommelier. She currently divides her time between Bologna and the US. Her interest in Italian varietals inspired her to study with the Association of Italian Sommeliers. After completing her Italian wine studies she then began to host wine tasting events and dabbled in the export side of the wine business.
Meanwhile, she was working full-time in fintech and attending as many wine tasting events as possible. Though she loved Italy, she missed the US and realized that importing Italian wine to her home country could be a great way to bridge those two worlds. In 2018, her company, Vero, was born.
Sheila hosting a tasting event.
Sheila knew from the beginning she wanted to do more than import wine. The passion for creating Vero was born of her desire to afford small producers with quality products, a platform to share their stories with like-minded souls as passionate as she is about Italian culture.
Vero is an online community – a place where people can exchange ideas, learn and purchase small-production wine and food products that they would not otherwise be able to find in the USA. And bonus: the prices will not make you cry.
You will not find these wines anywhere else.
Sheila focuses on producers who are organic, biodynamic, have their own vineyards, and are living and working in their native regions. Many are farming only indigenous grapes or lesser known varietals. Their wine and other food products will never be in grocery stores or markets because most are producing only 4000 cases per year or less.
Aldo Clerico Vineyards
The time is right for Vero
I believe the timing is perfect for Vero. Why? Let’s face it, we are all living online now. Unable to attend live tasting events, we’ve all taken to Zoom or other virtual platforms and chat options to share wine and community.
And yes, Vero is hosting online events. There is also the option to ask a sommelier to guide you in making your purchase. You can also ask anything you like about the wines, regions, producers and production methods. Pretty cool.
Are you ready to try some unique wines, from Italy, California, and beyond? Wines you will not find anywhere else?
You’ll find orange wines, no sulfite wines, vegan wines, dessert and sparkling wines.
For example, Aldo Clerico, a producer located in Piemonte, Italy, is making wine from his family’s vineyards located in one of the most sought after crus in Barolo, Ginestra. Aldo Clerico produces only 4000 cases per year.
Other producers, such as Quercia Scarlatta are farming 100% organic and produce olive oil and skincare products in addition to wine. They focus on producing wine with a little sulfite as possible.
Readers of Adventures of a Carry-on can receive 10% off their first online order!
Sheila is offering 10% off when you place your first order of food and wine online. Just use code ADVENTURESOFACARRYON. Use this link to go directly to the wine shop.
Bonus: shipping is free on orders of 12 bottles or more. As you know, if you have been following my site, I’m all about sharing what I love with my readers. I have tried almost all of these wines and I want you to love them too. Therefore, I asked Sheila if she would offer my readers a discount to try the wines. So, there you go!
Are you intrigued? Check out the Vero website and connect with real wines
The pandemic has truly taken a toll on small wine producers and Italy has been hit doubly hard. By ordering even one bottle from Vero, you help keep a small farm going and will have something truly unique that you’ve probably never heard of. Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll be able to share them with each other in person. Until then, let’s keep it social and online!
