Today for our “Meet the Team” blog series we are introducing our Assistant Manager, Catie Richards! Catie just joined our team in February and has been eager and excited to get everything prepared for the Tasting Room’s opening!
Introducing….Catie!
Catie
Where are you from?
Providence, Rhode Island
What is your educational background?
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from The University of Rhode Island.
What do you like to do in your free time
You can find me at the James River Brewery, at a Scottsville bonfire or floating down the James (usually all three) on a day off. In my less debaucherous spare time I play the Clarinet in the Charlottesville Municipal Band and blog at theyankeesouthern.com.
How did you get in to the industry?
I studied hospitality at URI and went right into a career in events and management at RI’s leading arts and entertainment magazine. Since moving to Charlottesville three years ago my primary focus, among a dozen other odd jobs, has been in marketing and design for the Charlottesville Municipal Band.
What personal goals do you have for The Tasting Room & Taphouse?
I love that the vineyards, breweries and event spaces around Charlottesville participate in so many community outreach fundraisers and events. Giving back within our industry is a beloved standard around these parts. I look forward to being able to participate in that dialogue and programming to benefit our community.
Catie and her pup!
What is your favorite drink at the moment?
It depends on where I am! If I’m at home or at a friend’s house It’s almost always a Crabbies ginger beer on ice for me. My very favorite Charlottesville drink will always be the gin and house tonic at The Fitzroy (same recipe from when it was Blue Light Grill) on the Downtown Mall. My go-to anywhere else in town is a French Gimlet (anything with St. Germain). If someone could point me in the direction of C’ville brunch that serves a mimosa with St. Germain that establishment would be seeing a lot of me. And of course I will take a Fluvanna Fluss Hefe from James River Brewery any day.
What is your favorite thing to do in Charlottesville on a day off?
When I’m in town I love hanging out on the rooftop at The Graduate Hotel with friends or exploring central VA’s many antique shops.