Pairing Project Story: Alexander, Carlota, Ryan, and Melissa

Fate intervened when Carlota and Alexander met, thanks to their meddling friends who canceled last minute, leaving the two strangers at a lively bar in Mexico. Hours of conversation felt like mere minutes, and as Alexander noted, everything just fell into place.

Fast forward two years of long-distance letters and just seven in-person meetings, they decided to marry. They were an ideal yet opposite match: Carlota emerged as a successful author and a prominent figure in the literary world, while Alexander ascended to CIO in major corporations, excelling in IT and economics.

However, fate intervened once more. After 30 years of marriage, the arrival of COVID-19 prompted the couple to migrate to the U.S., embarking on a new life and career in cuisine. An executive and an author turned culinary professionals, they are now vibrant contributors to the Austin food scene, showcasing their non-linear career paths.

Meanwhile, Ryan and Melissa met in the Texas Hill Country at a tasting room featuring top winemakers. The Texas wine scene is polarizing, defined by first-generation winemakers who innovate and collaborate with farmers to cultivate native grape varieties instead of imposing non-native ones. This rags-to-riches journey demands creativity and quality. Ryan and Melissa began their journey from the ground up, dedicating years to harvest internships, cellar work, and wine education. Their hands-on experiences with skilled artisans have profoundly shaped their expertise in winemaking. Together, they are affectionately known to their Mexican partners as “Los Güeritos.”

And then we all four met, working at Wine Experiences.

The throughline of this story is that life can easily sweep even soulmates in different directions. However, with a little help from friends and a commitment to family, new paths emerge. Hosting and cooking for loved ones brings us immense joy, forging unlikely friendships among us at different stages of life, united by this shared goal.

Through our shared love of hosting old friends and making new ones, we have created a new path focused on what truly matters.

We proudly present the Pairing Project: a collection of exquisite dishes and exceptional wines that complement each other, offering a chance to share the knowledge we've accumulated through life experiences and our passion for wine and culinary arts.