Preview
  • Wine Girl

  • The Trials and Triumphs of America’s Youngest Sommelier
  • By: Victoria James
  • Narrated by: Victoria James
  • Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (283 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Wine Girl

By: Victoria James
Narrated by: Victoria James
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.29

Buy for $24.29

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

An affecting memoir from the country’s youngest sommelier, tracing her path through the glamorous but famously toxic restaurant world

At just 21, the age when most people are starting to drink (well, legally at least), Victoria James became the country’s youngest sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Even as Victoria was selling bottles worth hundreds and thousands of dollars during the day, passing sommelier certification exams with flying colors, and receiving distinction from all kinds of press, there were still groping patrons, bosses who abused their role and status, and a trip to the hospital emergency room.

It would take hitting bottom at a new restaurant and restorative trips to the vineyards where she could feel closest to the wine she loved for Victoria to re-emerge, clear-eyed and passionate, and a proud leader of her own Michelin-starred restaurant.

Exhilarating and inspiring, Wine Girl is the memoir of a young woman breaking free from an abusive and traumatic childhood on her own terms; an ethnography of the glittering, high-octane, but notoriously corrosive restaurant industry; and above all, a love letter to the restorative and life-changing effects of good wine and good hospitality.

©2020 Victoria James (P)2020 HarperAudio
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Wine Girl

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    173
  • 4 Stars
    64
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    10
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    147
  • 4 Stars
    39
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    9
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    164
  • 4 Stars
    43
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

From one Lady Somm to another

Wowza. Unlike Victoria, I didn’t catalogue every horrible thing that was done and said to me, first as a young female chef (the youngest in many cases) and then as a young female sommelier. I somehow built an armor that was like taking those many, many, many physical and verbal abuses and treating them like water off a ducks back. But I’m sure I just internalized most of it subconsciously. Her book is raw and true and brave and beautiful. She’s a badass and a survivor, and I hope every young woman in the wine industry reads it and learns from it, and I hope every man in the industry reads it and makes this industry better by doing better, and preventing further abuse.
True fan girl (ahem, fan woman) here.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brave Honest Storytelling

What a brave and honest young woman. I hope your story has helped young women everywhere in the hospitality industry. Cheers

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wanted to like more

I really wanted to like this story but felt that Victoria held back. As a veteran in the restaurant and wine industry, I love when Somms (female) rise to the top and lift up others (especially women). It just felt stale. Sorry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

Thank you for telling your courageous, heartfelt story. I was living in wine country & driving to So CA so I thought I would listen to the book while driving. I was mesmerized by the account of Victoria's life. What a wonderful example of going through & pressing forward in such difficult obstacles. Tears were flowing while I was trying to drive!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Loved it. Well narrated. Excellent story. Thanks for sharing such an amazing story with all it’s difficulties.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Authentic Powerful Story

This is a beautiful, raw, authentic biography of Victoria James’ personal and professional journey from childhood to her path in leadership in the wine industry. Thank you, Victoria!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Much more than expected!

I've been fascinated with drinking and learning about California Cult Wines for 21 years. That said, I recognize that wine is both an experience and a journey. My thoughts were, here is a woman that understands this, which most of my female friends don't quite understand, I had to buy this book. What I didn't expect was a woman that I had so much in common with. I suppose most of us (women) will relate to her story albeit with a glass of wine or not. I could listen to her read an instruction manual and enjoy it. I took a leap of faith when I bought this book as there were no reviews to reassure me that it was worth the commitment. Victoria got thrown down plenty but she didn't stay down long. She doesn't whine (no pun intended) about being a victim. She doesn't make it political she makes it real. Something most of us relate to. Her courage and intelligence is obvious. I hope younger women read/listen to this book. It's like a big menu, there's something here for us all. Lastly, this book is certainly a 5 star all around entertaining book. You won't need to have any knowledge of wines to enjoy every sip of this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A very heartfelt and poignant read.

Victoria James does a wonderful job with this audible. I am not a big wine drinker, but I wanted to read something non-fiction that was outside the realm of my usual books. Victoria offers a gritty narrative of her upbringing with elegant notes of wine knowledge and stories from a highly credible wine veteran. Sad and cheerful – this book is a great read for anyone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring Woman I now admire!

This book was suggested to me by a team mate with ONEHOPE Wine out of Napa Valley, CA! I am so blessed to have read this book and I am expired to continue doing great things as an Independent Cause Entrepreneur and business owner! I'm excited to host a Fundraiser in honor of the Wine Empowered Foundation!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful read

Very enlightening and heartwarming. Highly recommended. Will use for our book club and discussion following

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!