tastemaker series
jordan salcito
Sommelier & founder of ramona
As a sommelier and founder, your career blends rigor with creativity. How did your background in wine shape your approach to building a brand that feels both fun and well crafted?
An interest in craftsmanship and good design are things I’ve been drawn to since living abroad in Florence, Italy during college. That experience shaped the way I see the world. In Italy, those values are part of everyday life. There is a European sensibility that treats life itself as an artform. I found it revelatory that practical objects can be intentionally beautiful. That discovery brought me a lot of joy and inspiration and have shaped my view of the world ever since.
When I chose wine as a career path, I knew I wanted to work at the best places and learn from the smartest people possible. I was fortunate to work at some exceptional restaurants (Daniel, Eleven Madison Park, Momofuku) – as well as harvest at some extraordinary wineries in Burgundy, Tuscany and Patagonia. It became evident that excellent craftsmanship is a part of anything worth creating – and that discipline even applies to having fun! Ultimately, we bring a lot of intention to each decision we make, so that we can be proud of the final result.
"Whether it’s draping a linen over your lap or crawling into bed at night, quality SFERRA linens are a luxury that bring so much comfort. "
– Jordan salcito
RAMONA has such a distinct personality - vibrant, joyful, and unapologetically original. What sparked the idea for the brand, and what did you feel was missing in the beverage world that you set out to create?
Thank you! The idea for RAMONA struck when my life was very focused on fine wine – we’d just opened Momofuku Ko in its brand new location, so I worked service on the floor every night. During that time, I was also at the height of preparing for the Master Sommelier exam. By this point in my journey, I was surprised that delicious, high-integrity options for portable moments didn’t exist. I realized I was in a position to do something about that. And I figured other people might be interested in this, too.
I named RAMONA after my sister’s childhood alter-ego, as this idea – organic, Italian wine and organic Sicilian citrus fruit, sparkling and in a can – felt a bit like the alter ego to the fine wine world. Both fine wine and RAMONA share similar value systems and a commitment to excellence, but RAMONA is meant to keep things light, fun, and portable. After all, it’s ’s sold in a can!
You live at the intersection of wine, hospitality, and design. Where do you look for creative inspiration - whether in places, people, or everyday rituals?
We live in Paris, and it is easy to be inspired here. I forced myself to become a morning person a couple of years ago in order to write my book, Smart Mouth, and my morning routine sets structure to the day. I journal, read, and exercise in the mornings before making the boys breakfast and getting them to school, and on Fridays I aim to visit a museum or an exhibition or spend time walking through the city. Sometimes I’ll sit at a café and journal. Other days I’ll collect Space Invaders for our nine-year old while listening to an audiobook. So many of my best ideas happen while in motion.
You’ve spent your life creating sensory experiences. What does “living beautifully” mean to you at home? Are there textures, objects, or small luxuries that anchor your space?
Small luxuries bring me so much joy! A current love is the centerpiece of our dining room table, a white porcelain Polspotten vase with a white embossed floral motif on the front. I keep fresh flowers throughout the house, usually in small bud vases (a blown glass version from Ett Hem, in Stockholm, and some others I’ve picked up in Paris. Flowers bring life and joy, and we live very close to a florist who always has something gorgeous in stock and in season (ranunculus at the moment). I also love vintage French ceramics – fresh Italian lemons, clementines and dried walnuts reside in mounds in hand-painted compotiers on the breakfast table– I get these from a boutique in Paris, Blanche Patine. Our glassware is a mix of colorful Italian waterglasses (sturdy enough so I don’t worry about the boys breaking them), Zaltos for wine, and mugs from Japan, purchased years ago in New York.
My husband, who used to own restaurants before he became a wine importer, once mentioned that it’s important to invest in everything a guest touches – silverware, glassware, linens. At home we have always followed the same mentality. Whether it’s draping a linen over your lap or crawling into bed at night, quality SFERRA linens are a luxury that bring so much comfort. We’ve slept on Celeste sheets throughout our entire marriage (17 years!) and the Roma napkins and Ondulato cocktail napkins are our favorite staples.
RAMONA seems to be synonymous with joyful gatherings. What makes a great table or a memorable gathering when you host?
Thank you! We really love gathering together over a spritz and a great meal. The quality of the ingredients has to be exceptional – and everything a guest touches needs to feel sumptuous. I also love color. Living in Paris, which is quite gray most of the year, color brings vibrancy into our home. I’ve always found color such a bold way to add joy and a little rebellion to any potential air of stuffiness. Color just makes excellence more fun.
