Food & Drink
Pouring New Possibilities
Latasha Tavelle is a woman with a mission, and we feel certain she’ll make it happen. When shedoes, the wine scene in the Charleston area will never be the same.Tavelle is the first Black female sommelier in Charleston, and it’s worth pausing to recognizejust how significant it is to be the first anything in a food and beverage scene as vibrant andcompetitive as the Holy City’s…
Latasha Tavelle is a woman with a mission, and we feel certain she’ll make it happen. When she
does, the wine scene in the Charleston area will never be the same.
Tavelle is the first Black female sommelier in Charleston, and it’s worth pausing to recognize
just how significant it is to be the first anything in a food and beverage scene as vibrant and
competitive as the Holy City’s. Today, as the owner and operator of FermentedVines, LLC,
Tavelle is introducing people from every walk of life to wine and wine etiquette, making it
approachable, fun, and affordable. Her long-term vision? A private wine label sold from a brick-
and-mortar shop of her own.
In the meantime, what Tavelle and FermentedVines offer are unforgettable experiences.
Start by booking a signature wine tasting featuring five thoughtfully selected bottles spanning
reds, whites, sweet wines, and bubbly. Gather your friends and upgrade to a premium package
for an extended tasting, then add a charcuterie board to create a magical evening that rivals
anything you’d find in more traditional wine country. “When people book a wine tasting, food
pairing, or other event with FermentedVines, they’ll enjoy as elevated an experience as if they
were in Napa Valley,” says Tavelle.
“I make people that are intimidated with wine more comfortable,” she adds, creating spaces
where guests can “ask questions without feeling bad. I make the experience lively, open, fun, and
educational.”
The experiences Tavelle curates are perfect for weddings, anniversaries, private dinners,
birthdays, bachelorette parties, and especially girls’ nights out. She delights in introducing guests
to hidden gems because, after all, what good is a great wine if no one knows about it? She even
offers wine blending classes, where guests can learn the art of crafting their own custom blends
by balancing flavor profiles like a seasoned sommelier.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply looking for an excuse to gather around a table
with people you love, FermentedVines offers something more memorable than a night out—it
offers a chance to discover wine without intimidation, connect through shared experiences, and
raise a glass to something new. And if Tavelle has anything to say about it, this is only the
beginning.
Want to discover more local? Follow Fig Magazine on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.