Meet Julia Vigen: Wine, music, and the things worth sharing

I'm not a somm, but I have loved wine for over a decade.

It started with a €3 bottle of rosé on a beach in Southern France. I was studying abroad in 2012, and my routine was simple: grab that cheap rosé, a baguette, some Boursin cheese, and head straight to the beach. I didn't know anything about wine yet, but I knew I loved it.

When I got back to Washington, where I was born and raised, I worked odd jobs in the industry until I landed as a sales associate at a wine store, where everything clicked. I started interning, then working full time at the largest privately owned northwest supplier, earned my WSET Level 2, and now, nearly 11 years later, I’m still constantly learning and just as excited about wine as I was on those French beaches.

Shop Julia's Favorites

Browne Family Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon

~~$132.00~~ From $20.00

Waterbrook Chardonnay

$18.00

Unconditional Pinot Noir

$20.00

House Wine Red Bubbles

From $32.00

What I'm drinking right now

1. House Red Bubbles
A fun, delicious crowd-pleaser that works for any gathering

2. Waterbrook Chardonnay
My go-to white wine, always

3. Battle Creek Unconditional Pinot Noir
Always stocked in my house for a reason

4. Browne Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points and so tasty. Perfect for the holidays

Getting Personal

What are you loving right now, outside of wine?
Books, for sure. I've fallen back into my fantasy era with A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Empyrean series, which opened the floodgates to so many others. And movies. My husband and I are working through a running list together. One of my all-time favorites is Bottle Shock, arguably one of the best wine movies out there. If you haven't seen it, grab a bottle of Chardonnay and tee it up immediately. I also love baking. My famous snickerdoodles are the go-to, but I've got a list of treats I'm excited to try: linzers, macarons, and Anzac biscuits.

What quote do you live by?
I’ve always lived by the quote “Bloom where you’re planted.” It's a great reminder to make the best of whatever situation you’re in.

What draws me to wine

I love the occasion of sharing a bottle with friends and family. That's really what it comes down to. Wine creates moments where everyone slows down, talks, laughs, and actually connects.

You'll love these wines. I promise.
- Julia