Meet Lesle Carscallen -- Director of Operations

lesle@gatescircleliquor.com

Since high school I have been working with my father, and thus gained 20 years of experience. My passion in the wine business started when I set off to college for business administration. During a summer break I continued working closer with my father learning more avenues of this business. Instead of returning to college, the hands-on experience was more sufficient with my father than to continue with college.

In the beginning, the store accounting was done by my older sister, Nicol. Nicol mentored me in the store bookkeeping process. Nicol shortly left to finish her college degree. Then it was my turn to take over the store's bookkeeping.

Now I am director of operations pertaining to ordering products, floor sales and bookkeeping.

This past year (2004) I went to Italy on a wine tour. Being there for 10 days allowed me to fall in love with their culture and their style of wine making. This was a wonderful experience in learning more about wines. When I returned from Italy, I increased our selection of Italian wines by at least 40%. I have to say that one of my specialties is Italian wines.

I enjoy teaching my employees and friends the love of wine. I have entertained with wines tasting parties at my home. I feel that everyone should have a certain taste for wine. I know some say they don’t enjoy wine but there is a wine for everyone, you just have to teach your pallet.

Some of my other specialties are French Champagne, Bourbons, after dinner liquors and California wines.