Eliana Campo left her home in Sicily looking for adventure.
After a few years of working as an entertainer in several hospitality locations, she went to London. She learned a new language and began to seriously study wine. Her work as a sommelier in fine dining restaurants caused her to ultimately fall more deeply in love with her homeland. Eliana started to appreciate the wines of Sicily more and more. Through discovering these wines she began to connect with more profound parts of her own identity.
Now she resides in Paris and is dedicated to sharing with the world the richness and beauty that is authentic Sicilian Food and Wine.
I am so pleased to introduce you to Eliana Compo this month. I credit this firecracker of a lady for teaching me to properly saber Champagne… over Place des Vosges I might add. She makes me laugh until my face hurts and what I love most about her is her beautiful authenticity and passion for everything she does. Eliana’s energy is infectious. She loves to bring people together and create intimate experiences around food and wine. In a world now where we are so personally disconnected sometimes, the simplicity of this notion is a breath of fresh air. Eliana is a breath of fresh air.
First, where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Ragusa, a town in Southern Sicily. My parents have been running a deli for over 35 years and my grandparents used to manage a beachside restaurant in the 70s. Naturally, food has always played an important part in my life, and not just the eating part, which I love but it’s been our way of creating the perfect moment to talk, share a laugh, and strengthen relationships.
If there is one thing Italians know well, it’s that no social gathering is complete without plenty to eat, drink and celebrate. We are culturally food-obsessed, always dreaming about the next meal. Mangia Mangia!
How did this shape you into the woman you are today?
My family background gave me the foundation for my passions as they are today. I’ve always worked closely with my parents, curiously exploring traditional Sicilian dishes and cooking techniques. My father is one of the most positive and gregarious characters I know. This has very much reflected in my love of hosting dinner parties and entertaining others, but I would never be able to pull them off if it wasn’t for the organizational skills I learned from my mother. This skill also set me up well for my career in hospitality. Being warm, welcoming, and passionate about food and wine has naturally evolved into a career path for me.
Tell me about your journey into wine?
My first wine experience was in Sicily when I was attending a course hosted by Salvo Foti, one of the best Sicilian oenologist and winemaker from Etna. From that moment my attention to wine started to grow and still continues today. I then moved to London working in the hospitality industry and getting experience in fine dining restaurants. Being always surrounded by sommeliers inspired me to pursue my wine studies with the Wine Spirit Education Trust. More importantly, I was doing it for myself but later it eventually became a job. As a sommelier, you are translating a wine into a narrative. I met guests who were very engaged in the story of the dishes and the wines we paired with them. For me wine is not just a drink, it’s an emotional experience, a fantastic journey that will never end.
What brought you to Paris?
I’ve always wanted to learn French and live in Paris, it’s such a fascinating and romantic city. My partner is Parisian, so we often talked about moving to Paris. Brexit really gave us the excuse we needed to get out of the UK. Luckily my partner got a job opportunity at the right time so we decided to make the move last year. I feel at home here, there is more of a village vibe, especially compared to London. It’s cozy, elegant, artistic, and picturesque with unique colors and lights. Gastronomy really is a big part of the French culture, similar to where I am from. Boulangeries, fromageries, and charming boutiques everywhere, plus lots of interesting restaurants/bistros and wine bars/shops every corner, what else do you need?
Share with me why you love Sicilian wines and specifically about your passion for natural wines?
Studying wines in London was a good way to understand how the wine scene works globally, but I found that I did not know enough about Sicilian wines. Being very patriotic, I’ve started to do more research about my homeland. I love learning about Sicily and its unique wine culture, it’s a great way for me to get connected, especially living abroad. Discovering Sicilian wines allows me to discover deeper parts of myself and my Sicilian identity.
Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on natural wines. I am passionate about wines that are capable to express the characteristics of different grape varieties and territories. I have a lot of respect for winemakers that are not using chemicals, doing minimal interventions, and making a good impact on the planet. I appreciate the effort and the love that natural wines are made of. I see natural wines as an artistic way of making wine. I like wines that are different, with their own characteristics, colors, and energy. I love wines full of life, I can’t wait to drink the next one.
Tell me about your dream in Sicily?
Since I left Sicily, I’ve always thought of creating something in Sicily one day. Food and wine involved but also music is important. I like to mix my international experience while paying homage to my country. I love to organize evenings, possibly in secret locations, where tourists can enjoy the perfect Sicilian vibes with a touch of personality.
To give an idea, candles to light up the atmosphere, a table full of delicious food, fresh and elegant wines while live music plays nicely. Welcome to Sicily!
What is next for you?
Go to Sicily for Christmas!
If you want to learn more about Eliana you can follow her on IG @elianacompo_
She also has created some epic playlists on Spotify. So if you can’t travel to Paris or Sicily right now these will transport you into her world.
