Mina Belhaj Rouas
Born and raised in Italy and Belgium, Mina had long envisioned a career in international business law, but it was while she ran her family restaurant business which specialized in Moroccan and French cuisine that she caught the wine bug. She made a life changing move to Manhattan to pursue her dream of making wine her profession. The career search landed her a job as food and beverage director for Punch Restaurant and Wined Up where she created one of the most eclectic wine lists from a selection of small producers. The wine list was recognized by the Wine Spectator. In 2007, as a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma student, she moved to Orlando and proctored the WSET level 1 & 2 while consulting for ABC Fine Wine and Spirits. She transitioned to a craft beer wholesaler and then as a supplier in central Florida for several years while continuing to seek for her future position in the wine industry.
In 2015, she was hired by Jackson Family Wines to cover the Southeast. Mina continued her wine education by becoming a Certified Wine Specialist and enrolled in several programs with the French Wine Society. She currently is the Trade Marketing Director for Frederick Wildman & Son specializing in French & Italian Wines.
