Svetlana often tells her friends and customers that, “Wine has an amazing complexity, it connects people.” Connecting people to wine has been her vision for WineNot Boutique since opening her first store in 2010. Svetlana’s vision has become a reality. Today, WineNot Boutique is a friendly, neighborhood wine shop where guests learn about wine, socialize, and travel the wine world together.
A native of Belarus, Svetlana caught the wine bug at an early age while summering in Crimea. Her uncle worked at the historic Massandra Winery near Yalta in Crimea and Svetlana would visit often and occasionally get to sample the dessert wine for which this winery is famous. Even as a child Svetlana became fascinated with the wine-making process and beautiful labels on the bottles. Moving to Crimea at age twelve she had an opportunity to help in the winery and vineyards. These experiences are some of her happiest childhood memories.
Svetlana holds an MS degree in viticulture and a Ph.D. in agriculture and has worked as an Associate Professor of viticulture in Ukraine. In 2002, Svetlana relocated to the US, where she completed the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) highest level to become a Diplomat in Wine & Spirits (DWS). After obtaining her WSET diploma, Svetlana managed the wine programs at several prestigious Philadelphia restaurants. She also worked as a wine educator for corporate and private clients.
In 2007 Svetlana moved to Nashua, NH, where she opened WineNot Boutique, voted as “The Best Wine Shop of NH 2011-2022” by NH Magazine, Nashua Telegraph, and Hippo Magazine. Svetlana continues to offer her expertise by organizing private wine tastings, dinners, wine education, and special events through WineNot Boutique.
In the past 12 years, Svetlana has organized many unique and successful wine & culinary tours to visit prestigious wine regions, like Piedmont, Tuscany, Champagne, Burgundy, Rioja, Priorat, Bordeaux, Douro, and Mendoza.
Her favorite type of wine is Champagne, and her favorite grape is Pinot Noir.
Svetlana has been recognized as a leader in the wine world, and WineNot Boutique has won many awards in NH.
