Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiloh Caffrey.
Shiloh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My inspiration to create We Drink Bubbles started with a series of very specific and fortunate circumstances strung together by a common theme: my love for champagne! It all started back in 2016, when my family of four packed up everything we owned and moved across the world to a tiny Italian village to reconnect with our heritage, simplify our life and escape the “rat race” of Southern California.
Within a few short weeks, we quickly sunk into the cadence of Italian life. We savored the time to be present with our rapidly growing children (ages 10 and 12 years old) and leisurely enjoyed every lunch and dinner with a glass (or bottle) of wine. I started to become more interested in the wine culture, especially the surprising abundance of lesser-known, incredible grower champagnes and sparkling wines. After being spoiled with heaps of quality bubbles day after day, my obsession hit an all time high.
When we returned back to California the following year, I consistently found myself gravitating to like-minded bubbles lovers. I started noticing how the sound of a bottle popping could almost instantly change the mood in a room. I became infatuated by the ability bubbles had of transporting me back to the vineyards of Europe. I knew it needed to be part of my future. And it was here where the reality of We Drink Bubbles took root.
I decided to put my teaching career on hold and follow my new found passion of sourcing rare and boutique sparkling wines and champagnes from around the world.
As I built my business, my single focus was (and still is) to bring premium quality bubbles to my Club Members and customers. I began sharpening my passion for wine into more serious efforts and became a certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and one of 400 people to obtain a “Masters of Champagne” certification through the Wine Scholars Guild. I began to forge personal connections with the growers in France and in 2020, began importing an exclusive collection of premium champagnes and sparkling wines. I strive to be a reliable voice for growers, sharing their rich history in each and every bottle they make. As well as strive to be a fun source for education and inspiration that centers around popping a bottle with people you love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, the road has been relatively smooth, mostly because I was fortunate with timing of my business. We Drink Bubbles launched as a direct-to-consumer wine club, delivering champagne to people’s doorsteps. When the pandemic hit, thousands of people started ordering more wine online since restaurants and bars were temporarily closed. My company has always been fortunate to maintain a nice, steady growth from the beginning. I also keep my focus very narrow on what I curate, so that has helped keep things relatively smooth.
I’d say the struggles along the way have been more internal. Maintaining a good work-personal life balance as an entrepreneur is always a challenge There have also been some learning lessons along the way as a teacher-turned-small-business-owner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’ve made it my mission to take the pretentiousness out of champagne and make it something that everyone can enjoy. I started the company in 2017 because I wanted to share the incredible small-production, family-made champagnes I was discovering. Over the years, I’ve built personal relationships with growers and producers across Champagne and beyond, which means I get access to bottles you can’t find anywhere else in the U.S., and I love being able to share those hidden gems with my community.
Each shipment I curate is filled with hand-picked bottles that tell a story, crafted with care, passion, and respect for the land. I include tasting notes, pairing tips, and fun facts so that learning about champagne feels approachable, not intimidating.
What makes We Drink Bubbles special is the heart behind it. It’s about connection, discovery, and joy. I’m so proud of the amazing community that’s grown around this brand, people who believe that champagne isn’t just for special occasions; it’s for everyday celebrations, big or small.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that champagne doesn’t have to be fancy or pretentious. It should be fun, delicious, and something that makes life a little bit more joyful.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
My hope is that We Drink Bubbles would be exactly as it is today but with a larger reach. I would also love to continue taking my Club Members to sparkling wine destinations around the world. And who knows, maybe one day even a We Drink Bubbles Champagne Bar!
Pricing:
- $135 / 3 bottle sparkling wine club shipment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wedrinkbubbles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wedrinkbubbles/
Image Credits
Brandi Schutt
