An Edmonds Kind Of Wine Shop

Ida Mathews, “Wine Guru”:  

Ida is THE original employee of Arista Wine Cellars. In the fall of 1997, when the shop first opened, she was volunteering her time during tastings and special events. 

Ida has nearly 50 years of wine (drinking) experience. She’s known affectionately as the “Wine Guru” at the shop.  As she has told us, when she began drinking wine, she drank a “well-known Californian jug wine”. In the twenty years she’s been at Arista, she wishes to think her palate has been greatly refined.  

She lives in Edmonds and is married to her husband Ralph. Don’t be surprised if you peak through front door at the end of a busy Saturday and catch her chugging the last few drops of wine from a bottle of tasting wine!

Phil (Sammy) Massey, Manager:  

Having worked in the grocery industry for a number years, Sammy was familiar with wine, but…  In 2004 he was promoted to the wine/beer manager of an independent local grocery and this is where his love and knowledge of wine began.  

His major focus is Pinot Noir, especially from Oregon and Burgundy. Sammy frequently travels to Oregon and visits as many wineries as he can each time.  Sammy’s other passions include Champagne, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Brunello, Barolo and 

of course Washington wines.  

Oh, and if you are lucky enough to sneak into the shop on a weekday afternoon, you may be able to hear him singing along with songs playing in the shop. Every Saturday night he is a karaoke host at a local watering hole. Sammy has been with us since March 2016.

Constance BeRoth, Wine Club Manager:  Long, long ago in cities far, far away, Constance grew up drinking European wines because there was no US wine industry to speak of at the time.  

Though her palate leans toward “old world” wines, she enjoys every country, every region, every grape, every style of wine – red, white or rose’ – as long as it is well crafted.  Her frequent travels to Europe have provided her a real insight into European wines, especially German wines.  She has been a member of the Arista team since December 2009, and the Wine Club Manager since April 2016. 

She lives in Edmonds with her friend boy, Rick.

Roger Clayton, Proprietor:  

Roger came to Arista Wine Cellars, first as an avid wine loving customer (he was one of the first couple hundred customers to buy wine at Arista), then joining the staff in July 2002, after nearly 20 years in the mortgage industry.  

He and his wife, Marisa purchased the shop in March 2016 when the Arista’s decided to retire. He has a passion for everything Italian, being especially interested in the wine from Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, as well as France and Washington. In his spare time, he takes his mini Schnauzer, Sophie, for walks and tends to his gorgeous vegetable and flower garden in Edmonds.

Sophie, The Shop Dog:  

Born in August 2011, she spent her first few years chasing two cats and playing with her border-collie friend Caty at a friends house.  However, since her “Dad” took ownership of Arista, she has easily slipped into her job as The Shop Dog and unofficial greeter of anyone who stops by the wine shop.  She’s quick with an inviting “woof” to one and all.  

For better or worse, Sophie is not shy about asking for an ear scratch, as she will gently put a paw on your foot, or scratch at your leg for a little attention. And yes, Sophie does like a little wine from time to time, especially German Riesling, but that’s a story for another time.