Rita Blackwell, Wine Express Rita Blackwell is the President and Co-Founder of Wine Express which creates intimate in home wine tastings, corporate events and partners with local charities and organizations to help raise funds. From a young age Rita had a knack for great food and wine and has developed a reputation for having “the right stuff” when it comes to entertaining. It was only natural that she would develop a passion for wine. After earning her Certification for Wine Studies from the French Culinary Institute in New York City where she studied under the world renowned Andrea Immer-Robinson, master sommelier and dean of wine studies, Rita was thoroughly convinced that wine tasting should be presented in a way that is fun, accessible and less intimidating. For Rita wine is as multidimensional as food, and evokes a spirit in people that is undeniable. Her mission is to bring a fresh, modern, non-typical pretense to the world of wine.