Beth Fraitag

Beth’s interest in biodynamic farming methods and organic, sustainable food started in her childhood home, observing her mother in the kitchen. To be able to bring mother nature's bounty into our communities, onto our tables and into our glasses is one of her core beliefs and one of the main reasons she has been with QFW for more than a decade!

Acquiring knowledge and experience with many sustainable, small production wines from across the globe is a constant joy in her life. Focusing her time and energy to bring these wines into the homes and wine glasses of her clients means they can enjoy the very best styles from great ‘hidden-gem’ vineyards they may not find on their own.

Her favorite wines tend to lean towards old world styles with new world characteristics; juicy fruit, bold flavors, subtle nuances of earth, oak and terroir with elegant complexity and approachability.

One of her favorite things about being a tenured wine consultant with QFW are her long-time, standing relationships with her clients. Many have been working with her since 2011 and feel close enough to invite her into their homes to meet family and friends. They reach out to her on a regular basis with questions relating to wine: Food pairings, decanting tips, cellaring recommendations and sometimes to just enjoy a glass with her over the phone:) These relationships are the foundation of her employment at QFW. Being a trusted resource for her clients is the best job she’s ever had.

When not engaged in swirling, sniffing and sipping, Beth loves to welcome friends and family into her home for home cooked meals and entertaining. Travel is a big part of her life and whenever she and her husband can sneak away for a long weekend up to the mountains to snow ski or a few adventurous weeks in a foreign country, she always enjoys her experience more with a great wine in hand. Now that she and her husband are seasoned RVer’s, they can really explore all the nooks and crannies of the United States, especially the National Parks. They love to hike, bike and explore everything this great country has to offer. When at home, Beth will spend time in her garden, cultivating fresh vegetables, sun-ripened fruit and fragrant flowers. She and her husband also enjoy spending weekends working on home improvement projects, which help to replenish her energy, rejuvenate her soul and elevate all the blessings in her life. All of this, accompanied by her goofy Golden Retriever, Bodhi, brings her joy on a daily basis.

“I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.”

A short lifetime ago when Beth was a student in high school, her junior year English teacher required the class to read Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. After the reading assignment, their teacher brought the classic black and white movie into class for everyone to watch. Anthony Quinn was an inspiring Zorba and his character drew Beth in immediately. The following morning, her teacher had each student participate in a unique exercise: Come into class, sit in their usual assigned seats, but react deliberately different to everything they saw or heard. They were encouraged to greet their classmates as though they had never met or seen them before and use surprise and excitement in their voices when expressing their thoughts and words. It felt a little awkward at first, but once everyone started participating, it really changed her perspective on her surroundings. The goofy guy next to her was shy, but very articulate. He also had a great smile. And the pretty, popular girl sitting diagonal from her wasn’t as “stuck up” as she had been made out to be. Beth remembers being surprised when she gave her an unexpected compliment. The experience Beth had that day has been in the back of her mind since then and has had such an impact on her life, she wishes she still had the opportunity to let that teacher know. Although Beth was only 16 at the time, she spent many years after that planning her sojourn to Greece. By her sophomore year in college, she was on her way. This is not a far stretch when Beth says wine is her Zorba the Greek. Every time she pops the cork on a bottle, she opens herself to new possibilities, new experiences and new beginnings. Maybe Zorba, in some indirect way, led her to this career, teaching her to keep her eyes open to a never ending sea of experiences, flavors, nuances and taste-bud adventures. It’s a refreshing concept to constantly be open to “newness”, experiencing subtle differences, watching the evolution of a wine over the course of an evening or a decade. In Beth’s mind, wine is a living thing; all living things evolve, change, develop and grow which in turn makes this world the wonderful place that it is. So take a page from Beth’s play book the next time you open that favorite bottle of wine…remember to keep your eyes wide open and your palate receptive to the beautiful nuances it brings.

The aim of man and matter is to create joy, according to Zorba – others would say ‘to create spirit,’ but that comes to the same thing on another plane.