Wine & Cheese Pairing
An Art & A Science
A guided tasting experience built around the classic art of pairing wine and cheese — led by an educator trained in both disciplines. Elegant, approachable, and designed for private gatherings in Orlando and Central Florida.
Melissa holds both WSET Level 3 wine training and Academy of Cheese Level 1 certification — bringing structure, flavor knowledge, and guided hospitality to every pairing.
More Than Wine With Cheese on the Side
Many wine experiences treat food as an afterthought. Melissa approaches the pairing as part of the experience — using flavor, texture, balance, and regional traditions to make both the wine and cheese more interesting together.
This is not cheese and crackers on the side. Every pairing is intentional, approachable, and guided so guests understand why each combination works without feeling overwhelmed.
“The cheese is not a snack. It is part of the experience.”
WSET Level 3 — Wine & Spirits Education Trust
International standard · Wines of the world · Advanced tasting technique
Academy of Cheese — Level 1 Certified
International cheese education · Varieties · Pairing methodology
Comité Champagne Certified
Champagne & sparkling — the ultimate pairing companion
6 Countries Visited
Argentina · Chile · France · Spain · Italy · Portugal
8 Total Certifications
Formal wine, cheese, and regional wine education
Everything Provided
Melissa brings everything. You provide the space and the guests — she handles every single detail of the experience.
Curated Wine Selections
Selected to complement the cheese pairings, guest preferences, budget, and final experience plan — with select wines connected to real regions, producers, and estate travel stories.
Curated Cheese Pairings
Selected using Academy of Cheese pairing methodology — textures, flavors, and regional traditions chosen to interact beautifully with each wine.
Glassware & Tasting Notes
Everything needed for a polished event — glasses, printed pairing notes, and accessories — all brought by Melissa.
Guided 90-Min Experience
An educational but approachable journey through each wine-cheese combination. Why they work, what to look for, how to taste intentionally.
Pairing Science Explained
The why behind every pairing — complementary flavor compounds, fat and tannin interactions, regional traditions. Guests leave understanding, not just tasting.
Stories Behind Select Wines
Through her close relationship with WineDos and her own estate travel, Melissa can connect select wines to real producers, regions, and firsthand stories.
From bright pairings
to richer combinations
Your Guided
Pairing Journey
Each wine and cheese experience is structured around the final proposal, guest count, wine selections, and event style — usually moving from lighter pairings toward richer, more complex combinations.
The Art of What Goes Together
Pairings are customized for every group. These are examples of the intentional combinations Melissa creates.
Cava Brut
The high acidity and fine bubbles cut through the cream of the brie, refreshing the palate and amplifying the buttery richness of both.
Mendoza
The tannins in the Malbec bind to the protein in the aged Manchego, softening both and releasing a long, savory finish neither achieves alone.
Late Harvest
The classic contrast — sweet against salty, honey against mineral. One of the most celebrated pairings in French cuisine for over three centuries.
Simple, Honest Pricing
Pricing is based on the final experience plan, guest count, wine selections, cheese pairings, location, and event style. Melissa provides a clear proposal before anything is confirmed.
2–6 Guests
- ✓4 curated wines
- ✓4 artisan cheeses
- ✓90-minute guided experience
- ✓Glassware & pairing notes
- ✓We come to you
Minimum booking $350
Book This Experience6–15 Guests
- ✓4 curated wines
- ✓4 cheese pairings
- ✓Guided pairing experience
- ✓Glassware & pairing notes
- ✓We come to you
Minimum group size for this tier: 6 guests
Additional wines or expanded cheese pairings available by proposal
Book This Experience16+ Guests
- ✓Custom wine & cheese selection
- ✓Flexible format & duration
- ✓Full proposal provided
- ✓Team building format available
- ✓We come to you
Tailored to your event
Request a ProposalPrivate Gatherings Built Around Wine & Cheese
A polished option for intimate celebrations, dinner-party-style evenings, client moments, and gatherings where guests want something more guided than simply opening bottles.
What Our Guests Say
The wine and cheese pairing was the highlight of our girls' weekend. Melissa made everything approachable and fun — we left feeling like we actually understood what we were tasting. Absolutely book her.
Karla Celeste Girls' Night · Winter Park, FLWe booked this for our bridal shower and it was the perfect activity. Elegant, educational, and so much fun. Melissa is warm, knowledgeable, and made every single guest feel included.
Stephanie Henderson Bridal Shower · Lake Nona, FLI had no idea how much the right cheese could transform a wine. Melissa turned what I thought would be a casual evening into something genuinely eye-opening. Our guests are still talking about it.
Paul O'Neal Dinner Party · Dr. Phillips, FLWine & Cheese Pairing Questions
A few details guests usually want to know before booking a private wine and cheese pairing experience.
A guided wine and cheese pairing experience where Melissa pairs curated wines with selected cheeses based on the package, guest count, and final proposal. Each experience is designed to explain why specific wines and cheeses work together — flavor, texture, balance, and tradition — in a way that feels educational but never pretentious.
Yes — Melissa brings everything. The wines, the cheeses, glassware, printed pairing notes, and all accessories. You do not need to purchase or prepare anything. Simply provide the space and invite your guests.
Melissa combines WSET Level 3 wine training with Academy of Cheese Level 1 certification, bringing a more thoughtful and structured approach to private wine and cheese pairings in Orlando and Central Florida. The cheese is not a snack on the side — every pairing is intentional, built around flavor, texture, balance, and regional traditions.
Absolutely not. Melissa designs every experience to be completely approachable for beginners while being genuinely interesting for enthusiasts. No prior knowledge of wine or cheese is required — everyone leaves having learned something and had a wonderful time.
Yes. Melissa tailors every experience around your group — the occasion, preferences, dietary restrictions, and tone. During the free 30-minute consultation call she learns exactly what would make the evening perfect for your specific guests.
Ready to Host a Wine & Cheese Evening
They’ll Remember?
Weekend dates fill fastest, especially for private celebrations and group experiences. Start with a free consultation so Melissa can learn about your guests, occasion, and preferred tasting style.
Orlando · Winter Park · Lake Nona · Dr. Phillips · Windermere · Celebration · Kissimmee · Davenport · Central Florida