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Certified {Deaf} Sommelier

Chelle is a WSET-certified Deaf sommelier on a mission to prove that great wine has no barriers. Through her platform, Somm Signs, she breaks down the complexities of viticulture into a language everyone can understand—sharing her journey as a woman of color and leading tastings and tours in American Sign Language.

By blending rich flavors with captivating storytelling, Chelle creates a warm, inclusive atmosphere where every bottle tells a story and the world of wine is finally accessible to all.

SCHOLARSHIPS

2025

Finger Lakes Alliance

Riesling Camper

2024

Diversity in Wine Scholarship Recipient

2023

Diversity Scholarship Recipient

EXTRA,EXTRA

“Access and Opportunity for the Deaf Wine Community”

SommCon 2026 was a whirlwind. As a “baby somm,” being in a room of such excellence was overstimulating and a little intimidating.

Representation in the luxury market is still so small, but I’m here to prove wine is accessible—whether it’s a $13 Vinho Verde or a $130 Pessac-Léognan.

The Takeaways:

🤟🏾True Access: Massive thanks to the founders for booking interpreters. That access was invaluable in those echoey rooms. 🤟🏾

🤓Industry Geek-Out: Loved talking VA/MD wine distribution and finally learning the “hospitality side” lingo (hello, QSR!).

💹The Bottom Line: The profitability track provided the mentorship we all need to price better and stay in business.

I was too overstimulated for the after-parties, but my heart (and notebook) is full. The wine community is strong, and I’m so excited for where this journey is heading. 🍷✨

#SommSigns #SommCon2026 #DeafInWine #WineAccessibility #DCWine RepresentationMatters

The corks are popping—Somm Signs Tastings & Tours is officially open! 🥂

My goal? To make world-class wine accessible. From regional deep dives to specific style explorations, I curate guided tastings that fit your vibe and your budget.

Whether you’re looking for a casual afternoon of sips and charcuterie or a sophisticated evening pour, the experience is entirely up to you.

What to expect:

✨ Custom Curation: A lineup built just for your palate.

🧭 Guided Tastings: 30–60 minute deep dives into regions, styles, or methodologies.

🤩 No Gatekeeping: My mission is to translate “wine speak” into a language everyone can understand.

Let’s make your next gathering unforgettable. DM to book or visit website link in bio.

Hi 👋🏾 It’s been a minute.

I’ve spent the last few years immersed in the world of wine—selling bottles, teaching classes, and building community offline. But while I was busy “doing,” I was also feeling deeply lost and overwhelmed by the pressure of who I thought I had to be.

I’ve realized that the BTS doesn’t have to be perfect to be shared. My mission to make wine accessible is what drives me, and I’m finally ready to let you in on the journey.

I’m so proud to introduce Somm Signs tasting and tours: fully customized wine experiences delivered right to your doorstep.

I’m back. Let’s pour a glass and catch up. ✨

Did you know Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest grapes in the world? While it’s famed for its herbaceous character and red fruit in cool European climates, we’re here to hype up a phenomenal and wildly unconventional expression from New Zealand: Sato.

Sato is produced in Central Otago, one of the southernmost, high-elevation points in the world to grow wine. This cool-climate environment gives the Cabernet Franc a bright, incredibly fresh, with a mouthwatering juiciness ans supple texture. It’s a delicious varietal that proves this ancient grape can thrive in unexpected, cutting-edge regions.

What makes this wine truly special, though, is the philosophy behind it. Sato is all about minimal intervention and small production, meaning the producers allow the unique Central Otago terroir to shine through in every glass. This approach results in a wine that is truly one of a kind, and undeniably yummy. Can you believe they only make about 1,200 cases? That makes this exceptional bottle a rare and rewarding find.

You can learn more about the unique producers and their story on @greatlittlevineyards. Learn why this unconventional, hard-to-find wine is worth the hunt! #sommsigns #cabernetfranc #wine #newzealand #centralotago #sato #japanese

Somm finishes work.
Somm goes to wine bar to decompress.
Somm orders…a cocktail?????
🥲

#sommlife🍷 #winebar🍷 #washingtondc #drunkmonk #theeastern

I’ll be honest, I’ve crashed out no less than 12 times this month. Life behind the scenes isn’t “normal” and most days, I feel like a caterpillar desperate to escape its cocoon.

But even at my lowest, I’ve been met with unwavering support. It’s truly amazing what good hydration, moderate exercise, and good company can do for the soul (shoutout to the friends and that cooked and forced me outside 🙌🏾).

Our communities are what truly fuels us, and I’m so grateful for this corner of the internet where we can share our love for wine and a little bit of joy.

I’m committed to sharing more of that joy through sign language, and I hope it reaches you.

Happy Deaf Awareness Month! 🤟🏾

#deaf #somm #sommsigns #deafawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #community

Hey, friends! Long time, no see. I know [we’re gonna talk about it 🤞🏾] I am now coming to you in the middle of my mid-life #crashout with some good news!

Working in wine, the best feeling in the world is having the opportunity to share wines I love with the world and I am so excited to finally see ✨@apollospraise✨on the shelf in DC. You guys HAVE to try it.

#fingerlakes #flx #newyork #wine #riesling #sommsigns #deaf #wediditjoe

Last week in Orlando, after a few too many glasses of wine (oops!), my colleague caught me mid-discussion about wine lists. It got me thinking: While some traditional approaches hold true for many restaurants, a new wave of beverage directors are innovating and breaking the mold! So, consider this a general observation, knowing that you might find exciting new approaches depending on where you dine.

Trad: Light Bodied ➡️ Full Bodied

What are your experiences? Share below! 👇

#winelist #InnovationInWine #SommLife #restauranttrends

Just two Somms nerding out on a bev program.

📸: @traciannjo

Happy International Wine Day! 🥂건배 (Cheers)!

Things I’ll never regret:
* blending my own wine 🍷
* Being honest about how little wine awards affect my day to day in sales 🥇
* Pledging to be a champion for Finger Lakes wine region 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽
* Sailing around the Senaca Lake with more bubbles than one should probably have on a moving water vessel 🛥️
* Drinking red wine and eating good food with some of the most amazing, authentic and passionate people I’ve ever met 🫶🏾
* Being forever grateful for this experience 🙏🏾

#flx #rieslingcamp #flxwinealliance #fingerlakes #seneca #senecalake #sixtyeightcellars #lakewood #hermanjweimar #Cornell #thankyou

Did you know Finger Lakes Riesling can beautifully age for 20 years? Or that the climatic volatility leads to higher vintage variation and adaptability in the cellar? Or that of you were to pour a lineup of FLX Riesling in a blind with other countries you might have trouble distinguishing them (at least myself and many other campers lol)? And do you know how to make Risotto? These are all things I learned during Day 2 of @flxwinealliance #RieslingCamp. 🤓😭🤩

Riesling Camp is next week!! I am so excited and nervous at the same time! Honestly I have so much to tell you about the behind the scenes work @flxwinealliance has been doing to make this opportunity #accessible for this deaf Somm. Please leave a 🙌 in the comments for them (yes, ASL terps are involved 🤩) and I’ll share more about that soon.

But y’all I couldn’t have been more excited to be buddy-buddy with @wagnervineyards as part of this experience. Fun fact: one of my first Finger Lakes Rieslings was by Wagner making me so stoked to connect with them! BIG UP to @alexjjank and everyone at Wagner for the support (and the swag)!

I can’t wait to take you all with me to FLX next week. Stay tuned and tell your friends to follow along!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve had a finger lakes wine or your favorite producers. #flx #riesling #fingerlakes #newyork #wagner #deaf #sommsigns

Drinking @aslina_wines tonight. Her Chardonnay is epic. I love it so much and I can’t wait to have it with dinner tonight!

What a treat to spend the day at the stunning RdV Vineyards (now: Lost Mountain) with the wonderful @womenofwinedc ! 🍇 From the gorgeous vineyard views to diving deep into viticulture and winemaking with their brilliant winemaker, Josh, it was an incredibly insightful tour.

We were welcomed with a delightful glass of their Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon before exploring the vineyard, fermentation room, and cellar. The grand finale? A delicious tasting of their three signature red blends - a la Bordeaux style - paired with local Virginia charcuterie.

RdV Vineyards (@lostmountainvineyard) is truly a gem showcasing the best of Virginia wine! ✨ #RdVVineyards #LostMountain #VirginiaWine #WineTour #BinVitalie #Viticulture #Winemaking #SupportLocalVA

I ♥️ #workinginwine

To day I got to deepen my appreciation for Beaujolais and its incredible terroir at a recent trade gathering. The highlight? Connecting with the passionate winemakers and viticulturists from dedicated, smaller producers – their insights truly bring the wines to life.

Events like these are crucial for us in the trade to expand our knowledge and build relationships. And yes, teamwork makes the dream work (even when it involves polishing glassware!), with the added perk of enjoying some of the day’s discoveries at home.

Thank you @vminsky , @prestigeledroit , @weygandtselections , and @domaines_chermette for sharing with us!
Have you had Beaujolais?
#BeaujolaisCru #FrenchWineRegion #WineProfessionals #GrowYourKnowledge #WineCommunity #SupportSmallProducers

CHO. WINE. OREGON. WILLAMETTE VALLEY. KOREAN 🇰🇷 🤝 🇺🇸 AMERICAN. WINEMAKER. 🤯 @getchowines

📍 @urbangrape - DC
🍾 2023 CHO Bubbles
🍷 2023 Chillable Red
🍷 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Let me know if you want me to review the wines in the comments! 💭

댓글에 영어로 대본을 작성하세요.

I could say a lot about 2024, but all I’m gonna say is…the wine was wine-ing.

Now, who’s gonna come and help me finish all this wine next year?

#winelover #2025 #wrapped #help #whitewine #redwine #orangewinw #france #italy #spain #oregon #california #serbia #austria

Where are my #Lambrusco stans? We love a delicious and affordable sparkling red wine!

In this video, we talk about Lambrusco, a red spritzy Italian wine that is not too sweet. It has a fruity flavor with notes of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries, and a little bit of tannin and earthiness. The wine is paired with a delicious pasta dish of penne with vodka sauce, chicken, and broccoli. (PRO TIP: Lambrusco with tomato based pizza = 👌🏾)

#SOMMSigns #Lambrusco #ItalianWine #SparklingWine #RedWine #italy

Transcript in Comments

I’m not new to this, I’m true to this.

#orangewine #viognier #sommlife #wine #iykyk

Ever wondered why wine experts swirl their glasses and take such big whiffs? It’s all about the 5 S’s of wine tasting:

👀See: Experts first examine the wine’s clarity. Noting any sediment or cloudiness.
🌪️Swirl: Then, they gently swirl the glass to aerate the wine and release its aromas and flavors.
👃Smell: What you smell is often what you taste. So they take a deep whiff to appreciate the wine’s bouquet.
👄Sip: Next, it’s time to enjoy the taste and texture of the wine.
😋Savor: Finally, they allow the wine to linger on the palate, noting its acidity, tannins, and fruit flavors.

💅Hand Technique: While there’s no strict rule, holding the stem of the glass can help prevent your hand’s warmth from affecting the wine’s temperature and flavor.

💡Remember: The most important thing is to enjoy wine in your own way. There’s no right or wrong way to savor a glass! #cheers

#somm #wine #assessingwine #sommsigns #doyouboo

🚨 Sign Wine Spotting 🚨
If you haven’t heard about @arnycacellars , you’re gonna learn today! Founded by CODA Steve Distler and partner Louis Pettinato, ARNYCA pays homage to país and familia. 🤌🏾

Hailing from Argentina and New York -respectively- Louis and Steve teamed up in Napa, California to create high quality, delicious wines. ARNYCA is a reflection of where they come from and is home to some of the best expression of wine in the United States. 🇺🇸

I had the best opportunity to chat with Steve last week (thank you @winexyz for the connection!) to learn all about it. 🙌🏾

Interested in learning more? Follow @SommSign, @arnycacellars, and @uncorked_access. We’ll be cooking up a lil something in ASL soon. Stay tuned! 🤟🏾

#sommlife #wineowner #napa #diversityinwine #wine #sommelier #deaf #coda #ASL #signwine

Hey wine lovers! 👋🏾 I’m Chelle, a Deaf wine geek with a serious passion for all things grape-related. I’ve been professionally active in the wine industry for the past two years and I’m currently on a mission to crush WSET Level 3.

I created SommSigns to share my journey as a Deaf woman of color and break down the complex world of wine into easy-to-understand bites. Let’s build a community of signing wine enthusiasts together!

What’s your favorite grape or wine region? Let me know in the comments! #sommlife #winelover #deaf

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Certified {Deaf} Sommelier

SCHOLARSHIPS

EXTRA,EXTRA

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