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Samantha Johnston
Hospitality + Wine
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Sam I am (vinho verde + iberico ham)

Samantha was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she carries herself with the poise of someone who has traveled far beyond the borders of any single city. A Certified Sommelier with more than 20 years in hotels and restaurants, she has become a quiet force in the world of hospitality — elegant, welcoming, and disarmingly knowledgeable. Samantha doesn’t just pour wine; she dissolves the intimidation around it, turning every conversation into an invitation and every glass into a story.

Her career is a tapestry of experiences: private events that feel like curated journeys, wine tastings that open minds, private chef gigs that transform dining rooms into stages, and wine and cooking classes where she teaches with the grace of someone who believes knowledge should be shared, not guarded. As a representative for Vinecraft Selections, she brings the same warmth and precision to the world of distribution, connecting people to bottles that speak with character and soul.

Samantha is also a charcuterie board master, known for transforming simple ingredients into edible architecture — balanced, beautiful, and irresistibly intentional. And when the day winds down, she returns home to her two cats, Boots and Bubba, who rule the household with the same confidence she brings to her craft.

Graceful in presence, generous in spirit, and unwavering in her mission to make wine feel accessible to everyone, Samantha is redefining what modern hospitality looks like. She is not just part of the industry — she elevates it.

Glasses With Rosé

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Wine Class Offerings 

Samantha offers a full suite of personalized wine classes designed to make wine education elegant, approachable, and completely free of pretension. All sessions are available in person or via Zoom, making it easy for anyone to learn from anywhere.

Her in‑person programming also includes a dedicated server training class, crafted to elevate hospitality teams with confidence, wine knowledge, and polished service skills.

Samantha’s curriculum spans the globe with immersive regional deep dives such as the French wine class, Spanish wine class, German wine class, and a vibrant exploration of Mediterranean wine traditions. Seasonal favorites like the Spring wine class and Summer wine class celebrate fresh styles and warm‑weather pairings, while the American wine class highlights the diversity and innovation of domestic producers.

A sparkling favorite among guests is her Champagne & Sparkling Wine class — an effervescent exploration of méthode traditionnelle, global sparkling styles, and the art of choosing bubbles for any celebration.

For those looking to build practical, real‑world confidence, Samantha also teaches essential skills such as how to pair wine with food and how to choose wine at a restaurant — empowering guests and hospitality teams alike to order and recommend wine with ease.

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Building a Collection $25

Learning the Basics of how to buy

Interested in building a collection of wine for personal use? This class will teach you how to select wines based on your preferences of flavor, region, and wine style. Become a wine host in no-time.

Basic Wine Class $30

Choose a Region

Covering the basics of American, French, Spanish, and Italian Wines. Information of wine varietals, climate, how to read the label and how to select at a restaurant or shop. 

Includes 45 minutes of education and 15 minutes of Q+A

Party Hosting Class $50

Culinary Focus

This class is tailored to your personal preferences, providing insight on how to host the perfect event. Learn recipes for appetizers, how to select wines and batch cocktails, and adding personal touches to help you 

Dealers Choice Class

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Price Based on Information

This class is based around your choice of in-depth topics. Class length is at the descretion of the topic

Restaurant Staff Training + Education

Samantha offers Restaurant Staff Education & Consulting, a comprehensive program designed to elevate hospitality teams with confidence, grace, and real‑world wine knowledge. Her approach is warm, elegant, and rooted in the belief that wine service should feel inviting — never intimidating.

Restaurants that carry the VineCraft Selections portfolio receive free wine classes, making ongoing staff development both accessible and impactful.

Tailored Wine Experience

Every training is customized to your team’s needs, including personalized wine classes based on your restaurant’s wine list, service style, and guest expectations. Samantha ensures your staff understands not just what they’re pouring, but why it matters.

Service Skills & Wine Confidence

Her hands‑on sessions include essential hospitality skills such as:

  • How to pour and present wine with elegance and professionalism

  • Guided tastings to build product knowledge and palate awareness

  • How to help a guest choose a wine with confidence, clarity, and approachability

Wine List Curation

Samantha also offers wine list curation for restaurants — crafting balanced, profitable, and guest‑friendly lists that reflect your concept while highlighting the character and quality of the VineCraft Imports portfolio

Modern Bar Interior

Experience + Accolades

  • Forbes Travel Guide 4 Star Achievement

  • AAA Diamond Award, 5 Diamons

  • Certified Somme

  • WVXU NPR 'Meet the women running Cincinnati's best restaurants

  • Wine Spectator's 'America's Top 100 Wine Lists'

 

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