Meet the mentee: Rachel Urbelis, Cielo
Managing a bar on an island in Florida means Cielo’s Rachel Urbelis has had to work extra hard to build her whisky community and knowledge. She explains how finding her confidence through our mentorship programme has allowed her to advocate for others.
OWF: Hi Rachel! Tell us a a little bit about your background.
RU: I’m a New Yorker living in Sanibel Island, Florida. Growing up I was always enjoyed learning: I was the kind of kid who got in trouble for staying up late and reading.
These days, outside of work, I still enjoy learning, in addition to cooking, eating, watching documentaries, and hanging out with my husband and our dog.
OWF: What were your thoughts on your future career when you were growing up?
RU: Growing up I wanted to be a number of things. From a young age I was always attracted to art and making things with my hands. As I grew up, I was drawn to sciences and history as well.
OWF: When did your love of whisky begin and why?
RU: My love of whisky began with my brother sharing his favorite Islay Scotch with me.
I had been bartending for a little while by then, but I hadn’t been paying close attention to the nuances of the different spirits I was mixing.
A few years later I found myself working at a Scotch and cigar bar in Melbourne Australia, and I was so impressed with the wide variety the single category of whisky can encompass.
OWF: Can you explain what your role entails?
RU: As bar manager, I am responsible for our house cocktail creation, day to day running of the bar, and (my favorite part) staff education.
At Cielo we feature five classic whisky cocktails and one house creation on our menu. The house creation is called the Fire Quacker and is by far our best seller. We do a duck fat wash on the Bourbon, pair it with bitters and a spiced syrup, and serve it as an Old Fashioned-style drink with a clear ice cube with a little rubber duck trapped inside, and topped with smoke.
When putting together our house menu of American whiskey I order them by mash bill. Going from top to bottom of our Bourbon selection, for example, the top whiskies have the most wheat included, and as you go down you get to the whiskies with the most rye. It’s one small way that through the menu we can convey something about each whiskey. It also helps with staff education and helping them make suggestions to our guests. I also created a guide of our entire whisky offering, giving a description of each unique bottling, facts and history about each company and distillery and of course tasting notes.
Scotch and cigars: Urbelis discovered whisky’s variety working behind the bar.
OWF: Why did you apply for the OurWhisky Foundation Mentorship Programme?
RU: I applied for the Mentorship Programme because I was looking for guidance and community. Previous to the programme my experiences of community were mostly in online groups since leaving New York City. I had a wonderful experience of guidance when I was awarded a scholarship by the Society of Wine Educators to complete their Certified Specialist of Spirits course in 2021. I was able to participate in really fun group classes, and I loved working towards something and getting to learn so much alongside like minded folks.
OWF: What were the biggest challenges for you in progressing?
RU: The biggest challenge for me in progressing right now is living too far from major metropolitan areas where there are more opportunities.
OWF: How did you work with your mentor to overcome these?
RU: In working with my mentor, Cameron George, brand ambassador for SirDavis, we focused on ways I can better myself and continue to grow and challenge myself where I am.
He helped me realise my unique abilities – problem solving and storytelling – and encouraged me to put myself out in the world more. My work with my mentor has helped the most with overcoming imposter syndrome and gaining confidence in not just my knowledge and abilities, but learning to trust my instincts.
OWF: What was an ‘a-ha!’ moment for you in the programme?
RU: My first ‘a-ha!’ moment was the saboteur exercises we did in the Power Room. I use what I learned about myself in that unit almost daily.
OWF: What are you working on at the moment?
RU: I haven’t yet finished my bachelors degree, unfortunately, and I hopefully will be able to find some time and inspiration as to what direction to take it in soon.
Right now I’m leaning towards marketing but I still could be persuaded in another direction. I’m also expanding my wine knowledge and am right now casually going through the Society of Wine Educator’s Certified Specialist of Wine course book, as I really loved their approach to spirits. Next year I hope to complete the course and have time to really put time and effort towards it.
Building confidence allows Urbelis to advocate for others.
OWF: What was your favourite part of the entire Mentorship Programme?
RU: My favourite part of the mentorship programme, first of all, is being chosen as a mentee. At first I was so intimidated by how many of my fellow mentees had such cool and interesting jobs. I felt it must be some mistake that little old me was included in a group of such amazing and talented women.
Through the work in the Power Room and our weekly meetings it dawned on me that maybe I really do belong in this group. That revelation alone has given me such a huge boost to my self esteem. Building on that, my favourite part of the mentorship programme is having this network, and being able to lean on this incredible group of women I wouldn’t otherwise have known.
OWF: How has this experience changed how you feel about being a woman in this industry?
RU: This experience has rewired how I feel about being a woman in this industry by making it feel so much less lonely. I can confidently laugh when people still think whisky is just for men, and made by men.
OWF: How has this programme empowered you to empower others?
RU: This programme has empowered me to empower others by being a better listener and better problem solver. By becoming more confident in my abilities, I’ve become a better advocate and defender of people whose voices aren’t as strong yet.
OWF: What advice would you give someone applying for or starting the programme?
RU: My advice for anyone applying for or starting the programme is to go forward with honesty. Stay true to yourself, and keep an open mind.
OWF: What are your hopes for the future for women working in whisky?
RU: My hope for the future for women working in whisky is that our voices will have equal volume. I hope for safe and respectful workplaces that foster community, creativity, and inclusion.
DISCOVER MORE FROM THE CUT
