Melissa’s first job on Nantucket was working for Denis Toner, curating the cheese program for the Great Wines in Grand Houses events for the 9th Nantucket Wine Festival, and ever since she has always been involved in some form. From her first Beverage Director job at the White Elephant Hotel at 27 years old, to her decade of work in distribution, to currently being on the planning and production team, she has always enjoyed spending her winter and spring with NWF.

Over the past 2 decades, Melissa has increased her experience in the fine dining scene by working at Galley Beach, The White Elephant, and CRU, along with assisting in wine programs at the Great Harbor Yacht Club and Nantucket Golf Club. She loves working with her friends in the restaurants industry to help create exceptional wine lists that complement their menus and enhance the dining experience for their guests.

Melissa’s passion for wine extends beyond her work, and she is often heard saying the phrase, “you’re lucky when your passion is your profession,”. She and her boyfriend are avid wine collectors and enjoy exploring different wine regions, both locally and internationally. They travel to Europe in the winters together, to learn more about their favorite regions and spend time with their favorite winemakers.