Jeanne Maron’s foray into the world of wine began after a varied career that led her to open a wine shop and travel tour company in St. Augustine.
Having worked in her family’s Jacksonville furniture business for twenty-three years, Maron’s Furniture, she made career transitions to the nonprofit and corporate sectors. However, after a layoff during the recession in 2008, Maron found herself at a crossroads. It was then that she had an “aha moment” and realized how she could turn her passion into a business. She is a first level sommelier, from the Court of Master Sommelier’s.
Sixteen years ago, she opened The Gifted Cork in St. Augustine’s historic downtown, and the shop has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering a carefully curated selection of wines from around the globe. Maron’s commitment to quality and her keen sense of what her customers enjoy have made the shop a go-to venue for wine lovers.
Beyond retail, she organizes personalized wine travel tours that take her customers to some of the most celebrated wine regions in the world. From the vineyards of California’s Napa Valley to the landscapes of Tuscany, Maron’s tours offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
Participants taste exquisite wines, meet winemakers, learn about the production process, and enjoy exclusive tastings in stunning settings.
“I’ve been planning tours for friends and associates for over fifteen years. We started the official store-sponsored tours six years ago. We’ve taken groups to Napa/Sonoma, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Santa Barbara, California, and Washington State. In 2025, I’m running tours to Paso Robles, on the central coast of California,” said Maron. “My tours are based on double occupancy for up to nine people for five or six nights.
They include on-site ground transportation, but all guests are responsible for getting to and from the destination on their own. Hotels, breakfasts, wine tastings, and winery tips are all included in our packages. We dine as a group for lunch and dinner and each guest pays for their own expenses.”
Maron hosts two to three tours per year and ensures each excursion is both educational and enjoyable. Therefore, customized itineraries are designed for guests to cater to their interests.
She has visited over nineteen foreign countries so far and is a Board member of the International Wine & Food Society, as well as a Vice President of La Chaine Rotisseur, Nord ‘Est chapter, a twenty-one-thousand-member organization of culinary arts professionals established in more than seventy-five countries.
Maron has visited each of the wine regions they tour at least three or more times, some over twelve times, and she’s developed a keen understanding of the industry. She mentioned that because her groups are appropriately sized, they become a small family accommodated at all wineries.
To learn more about wine adventures, or join the next exploration, contact The Gifted Cork & Gourmet at 904.810.1083, or visit thegiftedcork.com.
