For those that donât have a green thumb, Alyssa Piombo, owner of Riza Plants, would like to be of assistance.
âSomeone called me âthe plant sommelierâ the other day,â said Piombo. âI like the sound of that.â
Piombo opened her botanical boutique in the First Street Napa center in October.
Riza Plants sells all kinds of plants, plus an assortment of planters, locally made ceramics and macrame, plant accessories and indoor garden supplies such as insecticides, moisture meters, misters, fertilizers and potting soil.
Thereâs even a âsoil barâ, or âdo it yourselfâ potting station at the store.
1. How did you get into this business?
Stefan Blicker can thank the state of Alaska for getting him into wine.
âI was tending bar at the Crowâs Nest (in Anchorage, Alaska) and the sommelier quit,â recalled Blicker.
âI volunteered and the maître dâ took me under his wing. That first night I was decanting a 3 liter of 1970 Mouton Rothschild tableside,â complete with candle, apron and tastevin tasting cup.
âI was totally hooked,â he said. âFrom there I went on to retail and . then into the online side of things in 2000.â
Today Blicker is the co-owner, Last Bottle Wines/First Bottle/Invino.com of Napa.
1. What job would you like to try/not try?