Sandra's unofficial training as a wine expert began as a child thanks to her parents, two first-generation immigrants from Campania, Italy. Introduced to a biccherino di vino rosso by her parents, Sandra learned at an early age to enjoy half a glass of red wine at the dinner table while listening to Puccini play throughout the house, a family tradition that ignited her passion for wine and food. After a childhood full of culture and the arts, a career in the "finer things" seemed a natural step for Sandra. As a young woman in New York, Sandra trained with Kevin Zraly at his Windows on the World Wine School and studied at the American Sommelier Association, followed by a position as Director of Events for social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library in New Jersey. In 2015, Sandra helped to create and launch PerUs, one of Napa Valley's newest cult labels made by acclaimed winemaker and recipient of numerous 100-point scores, Russell Bevan. Sandra successfully completed the Introductory Examination into the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers and is a Certified Italian Wine Specialist with the North American Sommelier Association. She is currently pursuing an Italian Wine Scholar Certification with the Wine Scholar Guild.