more pop!less pretense.
Your personal sommelier in St. Augustine. Private tastings, wine education and pairing dinners, custom fit to your tastes and your event.
your secret weapon
Whether you're planning a corporate event that needs a little extra sparkle or just want to sip and laugh with your girls during a cozy night in, our tasting packages are an epic crash course on all things wine, custom fit to your tastes, preferences and style of event.
Whatever the occasion, add some pop! to your next event with a personal sommelier.
what's on the menu
Private Wine Tastings & Events
Tailored tasting experiences for private and corporate occasions, infused with fun, style and just the right amount of wine geekery.
Wine Education for Everyone
Wine doesn't have to be intimidating. From beginner basics to deep dives for budding aficionados, these sessions are fun, interactive and judgment-free.
Pairing Dinners
Transform any meal into a memorable occasion with thoughtfully curated wine and food pairings.
Cellar Curation & Private Cellar Tastings
From organizing your collection to designing exclusive tastings, I'll help you get the most joy (and bragging rights) out of your cellar.
Professional Training for Staff
Elevate your hospitality team with approachable, engaging wine education that sticks. Perfect for restaurants, bars and event venues.
Court of Masters certified sommelier. Former somm and wine director at some of Southern California's most esteemed restaurants.
your new wine chick
You have a mechanic and a mortgage broker and a preferred dental hygienist and, I don't know, maybe even a fishmonger. People you trust to help you in specific areas of your oh-so-busy life.
That's why you need a personal sommelier to get you out of the overpriced grocery wine aisle and back to the business of entertaining, celebrating, or just getting through a Tuesday evening some weeks.
A Court of Masters certified sommelier since 2011, I've worked as a somm and wine director in some of Southern California's most esteemed restaurants, including Market Restaurant + Bar and The Marine Room in La Jolla. But why should only the models and NFL stars get to have all the fun?
My mission is to level the barrier of entry on wine. Everyone deserves to drink well for a decent price point. And all that requires is a little knowledge.
more pop! less pretense.
read my story →the reviews are in
We had the BEST wine tasting event thanks to Jen! She's absolutely amazing!! Super knowledgeable about every wine and explained everything in such a way that was easy to understand and so much fun. Her enthusiasm and inviting personality made me excited to try each wine. If you're looking for an outstanding sommelier who can bring both expertise and fun to your event, look no further. I can't recommend Jen enough!
Jenn is the bomb! If you're looking for a laid back, pressure-free experience that feels warm and welcoming, Jenn is your girl! She can make everyone feel at ease whether you're a seasoned wine lover or if it's your first time! I can't wait to do another wine tasting with her!
If you're looking for a rock star sommelier, look no further - Jen is your girl! She has a lot of knowledge about a variety of wines and she makes tastings/pairings a blast. Whether it's help with a girls night, fancy dinner, or special occasion, Jen knows just what to recommend to make your event top notch!
Jen is simply amazing! She has excellent taste and is incredibly knowledgeable providing exciting wine options from all over the world for various price points. One of my favorite wines I've had from her is a sparkling wine from New Mexico.
Not only is Jennifer knowledgeable about every aspect of wine but also the regions and best pairings. Jennifer welcomes questions and her personality is a bonus. What a blast we had at the wine pairing party she hosted!!!
I have done multiple wine tastings with Jenn. Her knowledge of wines is exceptional and with the themes of each tasting her wine selections are always spot on. I can't wait to do another tasting with Jenn. They are literally a blast!
What a beautiful evening we had learning about some incredible Old World wines! Beyond impressed with Jen's knowledge and the way she describes the wine.
It was a wonderful experience with Jennifer as our sommelier. I learned so much about choosing the right wines for my special dinners. It was a fun experience, and I look forward attending another one of her wine tasting classes.
Jen's knowledge is unmatched! She added so much fun to a recent girl's night. All my friends are still raving about it! Would definitely recommend!
I had a wonderful experience with our wine tasting with Jennifer Darcel. Delicious wines and excellent in describing each flavor and pairings!! Look forward to our next wine tasting!!
Jen is an amazing sommelier! She makes learning about wine fun and very informative. I would highly recommend her for your next wine experience.
wine, answered
What does a personal sommelier do?
A personal sommelier is your go-to wine person, like having a trusted mechanic or mortgage broker, but for wine. Jennifer helps you skip the overpriced grocery wine aisle and pick wines you'll love for entertaining, celebrating or a regular Tuesday night, and she hosts private tastings, classes and pairing dinners.
Who is the sommelier behind pop! wine shop?
Jennifer Roberts-Darcel, a Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier since 2011 with WSET Level 3 (2010). She was wine director at Market Restaurant + Bar and sommelier at The Marine Room at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club before bringing pop! wine shop to St. Augustine, Florida. Her specialty is Italian wine.
What kinds of events can you host a wine tasting for?
Private parties and corporate events alike: bubbles for an engagement party, a French wine crash course for team building, a cozy night in with friends, or rosé for tax preparation. Every tasting is custom fit to your tastes, preferences and style of event.
Do I need to know anything about wine to book a tasting?
Not at all. The whole point is more pop, less pretense. Sessions are fun, interactive and judgment-free, from beginner basics to deep dives for budding aficionados.
Do you offer wine training for restaurant and bar staff?
Yes. Jennifer offers approachable, engaging wine education for hospitality teams at restaurants, bars and event venues.
Where is pop! wine shop located?
pop! wine shop is based in St. Augustine, Florida, and serves the St. Augustine area. There's no storefront to visit; tastings, classes and pairing dinners are booked privately for your event.
How do I book a private wine tasting in St. Augustine?
Email jennifer@popwineshop.com or call 619-886-0087 with your date, the occasion and roughly how many guests, and Jennifer will put together a tasting for you.
wine, minus the snobbery
Does white wine need to be ice cold?
True or false: white wine needs to be served ice cold to taste its best. Spoiler: your fridge is muting your favorite bottle.
read it →Blanc de noirs: white bubbly made from red grapes
"Blanc de noirs" bubbly is a white wine made from… white grapes, red grapes, or a nun's secret recipe? Here's the answer.
read it →ready to sip?
Reach out to book or get more information about your next tasting or event.
private tastings by booking