Andrea Delaroque

founder

I’ve never been one to waltz into a restaurant or wine bar, grab a giant wine book, and know exactly what to order.  Nope.  I’m the one asking for advice from the wine professional because as much as I enjoy drinking wine, I’ve never studied it and in all honesty, I’ve never wanted to.  For me, the pleasure in wine is discovering something new, finding a perfect pairing, tasting a new wine that is just “easy,” and simply enjoying a bottle with good company.  

I became interested in natural wine around the same time I became interested in clean beauty and upcycled products.  As I learned more about natural wine, the producers, the farming practices, and the simple premise that we can drink beautiful wine that is also good for the planet, I was fully on board.  I love knowing that each vintage is different because each farming year is unique and that uniqueness is reflected in the bottle.  Not by accident, but by design and because the winemaker chose not to intervene in the natural process.  How it was done in the ‘old days.’  As we say at DirtyVine, natural wine is a new way to do wine rooted in the really, really, old way.   

I was inspired to create DirtyVine for everyone who enjoys wine, frets about the planet, and isn’t a master sommelier.  I feel like it might be a large audience?  I’m fortunate to work with a team who cares deeply about wine and hospitality, and who are curating an exceptional selection of items at DirtyVine.  

On a personal note,  I’m a parent (daughter and dog),  I own a French épicerie and café in San Francisco named Maison Nico with my exquisitely talented chef-husband, and I’m a lawyer (who no longer practices law).   I enjoy yoga a lot and will travel nearly anywhere for great food.  I dislike lines. 

Robyn Montes

Wine Curator

I didn’t truly fall for wine until I moved to California. I’d always enjoyed a glass here and there, but meeting the people behind the bottles changed everything. Living in the Bay Area has allowed me to spend time with growers, winemakers, and long tables full of people who cared more about flavor and story than prestige.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to “master” wine and started caring more about how it makes people feel. The best bottles aren’t the most expensive, they’re the ones that make a dinner linger a little longer.

DirtyVine is my way of sharing the producers I’m most excited about: small, independent winemakers who farm thoughtfully and make wines with real character. Wines that respect the land, the grower, and the person drinking them.

Before DirtyVine, I worked across restaurants and hotels. From casual neighborhood spots to Michelin three-star dining rooms. Hospitality has always been the throughline: creating spaces where people feel relaxed, curious, and genuinely taken care of.

My path here has been a little eclectic too, flight attendant, political campaigns, and a lifelong lover of food and wine. I’m always reading, tasting, and learning so you can simply enjoy what’s in your glass.