Maria the Wine Blonde: Where Movie-Star Glam Meets Real Wine Knowledge

Maria—aka The Wine Blonde—has the kind of movie-star glam that makes you pause mid-scroll...and the wine knowledge that makes you stay.

What truly sets her apart is how she pairs that shine with substance, making wine education feel confident, current, and totally refreshing.

I brought plenty of questions to the table (as you'll read below) and she answered every single one with so much insight and enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to a day when we can toast to this conversation over a bottle of wine!

🍷 Pour a glass and enjoy,

~ Lee

Lee Romano Sequeira, OfftheVinePr.com

✦ Lee: Was there an “aha!” sip or bottle that made you fall in love with wine?

✤ Maria: It was a 1982 Château Margaux that completely drew me in. I was having dinner with friends at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut when time seemed to stop. The wine itself was feminine, floral, and beautifully layered, with flavors I had never experienced before—yet the moment was incredibly powerful.

That glass revealed the true complexity of wine and the emotions it can evoke. It felt magical. All I could think was, How do I drink more of this? How do I experience this feeling again and again? That was the spark.

✦ Lee: If your wine journey had a movie title, what would it be—and who plays you?

✤ Maria: Full Glass, High Class, Lots of Sass. And I’m playing myself—because no one else could juggle stilettos, stemware, and a suitcase full of ambition quite the same way.

✦ Lee: Your first-ever wine post: adorable, chaotic, or iconic? DO tell.

✤ Maria: My first wine post actually happened long before Instagram—or any social media apps—were even a thing. Back in 2007, I co-hosted an online wine show called Philly Uncorked for Philly.com (the Philadelphia Inquirer’s website at the time, now inquirer.com).

Every Thursday, we launched short-form wine education videos—a series I helped write and starred in alongside the owner of the Wine School of Philadelphia. Fully professionally shot with a production team, it was pretty iconic and way ahead of its time.

✦ Lee: The vineyard you dream about at 3 am—where and why?

✤ Maria: The vineyards of Montalcino—where my husband and I got married at Castello di Velona—are the ones I dream about at 3 a.m. Having 34 of our friends and family there to witness our union made it beyond special. The views were breathtaking, and our wedding album is filled with those vineyards in the backdrop. Brunello, of course, is now our favorite celebratory wine—it perfectly captures that love and memory every time we pour a glass.

✦ Lee: What’s your “starter kit” for someone who says, “I don’t like wine”?

✤ Maria: I always say: try tasting wine instead of just drinking it. You discover so much more this way, including what you actually enjoy. I truly believe there’s a wine for everyone—it might just be waiting to be discovered, whether it’s a certain variety, region, or the perfect food pairing.

A fun way to start is a blind tasting kit, like the ones from Master the World, which send small bottles from around the globe—no labels, no expectations, just you and your palate. And for some, the first step into wine is with sweeter wines—they’re less dry, more approachable, and that’s totally okay.

Incredible sweet wines include Moscato d’Asti or a German Riesling Spätlese or Auslese. Trust me, your perfect wine is out there—you just have to sip, savor, and explore.

✦ Lee: What’s one thing people don’t realize about being a wine influencer?

✤ Maria: It’s equal parts glamour and grit. Behind every pretty pour are multiple takes to get the perfect shot, hours of editing (I do all my own), and figuring out the right tools and lighting to make the wine—and me—look just right. I can’t tell you how many times my husband has said, “That’s enough—no more photos today!”

It’s definitely an always-on job, and sometimes it’s tough—especially when you pour your heart into a post and it flops. But helping people discover something new to drink, a new winery, resort, or country, and bringing the stories of winemakers to life is so fulfilling.

Some say social media isn’t really social, but I’ve made wine friends from around the world thanks to it. Creating those connections and experiences—that’s the real magic.

✦ Lee: Tell me about a brand collab you’d love.

✤ Maria: Paid collabs… lol! A lot of my work is done in trade, but as my husband likes to remind me, free wine or restaurant meals don’t pay the bills. That said, I would absolutely love to collaborate with LVMH.

They have so many incredible brands—including their Belmond hotels—and I’d be thrilled to serve as a brand ambassador, showcasing their wines, spirits, fashion and beauty lines, and even their hotels and yachting experiences.

It’s the perfect blend of luxury, storytelling, and of course…wine.

✦ Lee: Which glorious pairing do you swear by?

✤ Maria: Great wine and even better company—friendships aren’t made over a glass of milk, but I’ve definitely witnessed many formed by sharing a bottle of wine.

If we’re talking food, my ultimate pairing has to be seared foie gras with Sauternes. The crispiness of the sear and richness of the liver is completely transformed by the sweetness and high acidity of a fine Sauternes.

It’s a pairing that gives you that ah-ha moment, showing just how magical the right food and wine combination can be.

Another favorite? A fine sipping tequila, like Casa Dragones, paired with a white chocolate dessert. Trust me… that will blow your mind.

✦ Lee: What's a region that’s totally under-hyped?

✤ María: Valle de Guadalupe, México. It’s fascinating to see the wine producers experimenting with so many different varieties—Nebbiolo, Arneis, Viognier, and more. The region is growing rapidly, with new wineries and wine hotels popping up all the time. The food is spectacular, the people are warm and unpretentious, many wineries are dog- and kid-friendly, and it’s just an easy drive over the border from San Diego. It’s perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway—or a romantic couples’ retreat staying at El Cielo or Bruma Winery Hotel. There’s truly so much to discover.

✦ Lee: Best wine memory from the road—who were you with and what were you drinking?

✤ Maria: My best wine memory has to be the very first VinoInfluencers Awards weekend in Spain, September/October 2024. This is where I met my wine bestie, Megan Greco (@ifyoupourit). We rented a car to get from Madrid to Valladolid, laughing the entire two-hour drive, and then joined all our social media wine friends for four unforgettable days exploring the Ribera del Duero and Rueda wine regions.

We connected with wine influencers from around the world that we had only known through photos or videos on Instagram, and the bus rides after winery tours would always get a little rowdy—so much fun! Thanks to VinoInfluencers, we learned so much about Castilla y León, and built friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

✦ Lee: Give a shout-out to a creator or educator who inspires you (and why).

✤ Maria: A big shout-out to Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey! He has inspired me in so many ways—if it weren’t for his online video on how to properly open a bottle of Champagne, I might not have passed my Certified Sommelier exam in 2014 (Court of Master Sommeliers).

Bobby is a founder of the prestigious James Beard Foundation and the award-winning, Michelin-starred Fasca Hospitality Group—and he’s one of the most genuine and respected voices in the wine industry.

I had the honor of meeting him in Las Vegas last year, and he was just as personable and down-to-earth in person as he is on camera. It was an iconic moment for me—I even got to thank him for that Champagne video! Meeting him felt like connecting with a lifelong friend, and I know he’ll always be someone I look up to in this industry.

✦ Lee: “Wine should make people feel ____.”

✤ Maria: CONNECTED. To each other, to a place, to a moment—and sometimes, to themselves.

✦ Lee: Perfectly stated, THANK YOU SO MUCH, Maria!

👉🏼 Follow Maria at @mariathewineblonde (and check out her offerings)

🍇 Sidenote: Maria was also featured as an Influential Wine Voice by LocalWineEvents.com