Curating Wine, Creating Community: The Story of Melissa Winkler and Winkler & Samuels

By: Hilario Caro, Talent Optimization at StaffBuffalo

In this flavorful episode of the Pain Points Podcast, I sat down with Melissa Winkler, Certified Sommelier and co-owner of Winkler & Samuels, to talk about her unlikely journey from nanny to wine expert, her passion for education, and how she built one of Buffalo’s most distinctive wine destinations.

From Babysitting to Bordeaux

Melissa didn’t plan on a career in wine—it all began on a trip to Paris, when she signed up for a Wine 101 class at Le Cordon Bleu. “I was like, wow, I have a knack for this,” she recalled. That spark ignited a journey of study and travel that took her through Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux, and eventually into formal training with both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

“I’ll never know everything about wine—and that’s what makes it fascinating,” Melissa said. “Each vintage is a singular expression of time and place. That complexity keeps me learning.”

Building Winkler & Samuels

Melissa’s career began at Premier Wine, where she taught classes and immersed herself in thousands of wines. But she saw a gap: small, family-run producers were getting lost behind mass-market labels. Her vision was to create a shop that highlighted unique, curated wines paired with immersive education.

A chance introduction to developer Sam Savarino led to the launch of Winkler & Samuels, located in Buffalo’s historic 500 Seneca building. What began as a retail store and climate-controlled cellar quickly expanded into a vibrant hub for wine tastings, classes, and community events.

“The shop is my love letter to wine,” Melissa said. “Every class, every bottle, every story—we put our heart and soul into it.”

Wine Education, Made Accessible

At Winkler & Samuels, Melissa and her husband Dan design weekly wine classes that make learning approachable and fun. Each class explores a theme—from French alpine wines to summer “porch pounders”—and pairs six wines with six cheeses.

Melissa’s goal is simple: take away the intimidation. “There’s no wrong answer in wine. If you’re enjoying it, then it’s a good bottle,” she explained.

Her teaching style blends theory with multisensory experiences, helping participants build “taste memory” by linking flavors and aromas to fruits, spices, and textures.

Challenges and Triumphs

Running Winkler & Samuels hasn’t been without hurdles. Melissa describes herself as a perfectionist, always striving to make each class better than the last. Working side by side with her husband means balancing strong personalities with shared passion.

Still, their efforts have built a loyal following and a thriving wine club, where members receive two curated bottles each month—complete with producer notes and recipe pairings. “It’s as hyper-focused as our classes,” Melissa said. “Each month tells its own story.”

A Community Rooted in Passion

For Melissa, Winkler & Samuels isn’t just a shop—it’s a community. From Canadian clients storing wine in their climate-controlled cellar to Buffalonians discovering new varietals at classes, the business has become a gathering space for exploration, education, and enjoyment.

At StaffBuffalo, we celebrate entrepreneurs like Melissa who combine passion, perseverance, and purpose to create something extraordinary. Just as Winkler & Samuels curates wine experiences, we help businesses and professionals curate their careers and teams.

If Melissa’s story inspires you, stop by 500 Seneca or visit their online shop to explore the wines she loves to share.