ROOTS

VITI. Viticulture. It’s everything happening out in the vineyard. This is where the lifecycle of the vine begins, showing how the sun, the slopes, and the living soils shape the character of the grapes

VINI. Vinification. The winemaking process in all its raw artistry. This is where craftsmanship translates nature into a bottle, capturing the unique influence and vision of the artist behind the label.

WEIN. Pronounced Vine. The simple German word for wine—a playful nod to language, origin, and the deep global connections we explore at every table.

Meet the Sommelier

For me, wine was never just about what was in the glass—it was always about the why.

My journey began casually, watching my mom enjoy Napa Cabernets. I didn't fully grasp the magic of it until I began working in high-end restaurants while pursuing my B.A. in Mathematics and later a Master's in Finance. Immersed in the culinary world, I became fascinated by how drastically a wine could change from bottle to bottle, vintage to vintage. My favorite ritual quickly became scouting unique bottles for my mom. When she told me how much she loved my selections, I realized the truth: the real joy of wine lies in the storytelling, the history, and the connection shared around the table.

After a year of working as a financial analyst, I realized my heart belonged to hospitality, not the 9-to-5 desk hustle. I returned to my roots on the restaurant floor, earned my Certified Sommelier credentials through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and hit the floor running. Today, I am proud to split my time working as a floor sommelier at two of Washington D.C.'s most historic and premier dining institutions: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab and The Occidental.

Through Vitiviniwein, I bring that exact same high-end floor expertise and passion for storytelling straight to your table. I love stepping out of the classic regions to pour an elegant Italian Fiano or a crisp Grattamacco Vermentino, pulling back the curtain on the wine world for everyday lovers. My goal is to transport you into a different world with every single pour, exposing you to bottles you’d never think to open on your own, while celebrating the incredible people behind the labels.

Cheers,

Crystal Armenta

Certified Sommelier