Talking Wine And Restaurants With Jen Ziskin
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
Episode 297
Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!
Talking Wine And Restaurants
Join Kim and Mark from www.thewww.wine for an engaging interview with Jen Ziskin, the dynamic Executive Director for Massachusetts Restaurants United (MRU) and co-owner/wine director of Brookline, MA's beloved restaurants, La Morra and Punch Bowl.
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 297 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Talking Wine And Restaurants Join Kim and Mark from www.thewww.wine for an engaging interview with Jen Ziskin, the dynamic Executive Director for Massachusetts Restaurants United (MRU) and co-owner/wine director of Brookline, MA's beloved restaurants, La Morra and Punch Bowl. Jen shares her extensive background in the wine and restaurant industry, leading into a discussion on the genesis of Massachusetts Restaurants United. She elaborates on how MRU actively supports Massachusetts restaurants, particularly through valuable liquor and wine education initiatives. The conversation then delves into the evolving landscape of Massachusetts laws concerning restaurants and liquor licenses, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities these changes present. Jen takes us on a journey through her personal wine travels and education, explaining how these experiences profoundly influence her wine list curation and selections at La Morra and Punch Bowl, highlighting her preference for smaller, artisanal producers over big brands. Shifting gears, the interview covers practical aspects of wine consumption, specifically the rules surrounding "wine doggy bags" and the nuances of BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) laws in Massachusetts. The promotion of wine within restaurants is then explored, with Jen offering her perspective on how to effectively introduce and sell wines she personally enjoys to her customers. For aspiring wine list buyers, Jen provides invaluable tips and insights. She also touches upon the practicality and appeal of 1/2 and magnum wine bottles, the strategy behind wine by the glass offerings, the proper handling of corked wines, and essential etiquette for wine sampling. The show concludes with Jen sharing her passion for wine tastings, offering a glimpse into her experiences and services . For more information about Jen and her work, please visit: www.massrestaurantsunited.org www.lamorra.com www.punchbowlbrookline.com Cheers 🍷🍷🍷 Kim and Mark www.thewww.wine #thewonderfulworldofwine #wine #wineeducation #MRU
Jen Ziskin
, Executive Director, Mass Restaurants United; Co-Owner/Wine & Events Director, La Morra & Punch Bowl Brookline MA
Jen Ziskin is the Executive Director of Mass Restaurants United (MRU), a statewide
coalition dedicated to empowering and advocating for independent restaurants and the
hospitality industry in Massachusetts. She also serves as the Wine & Events Director
and co-owner of La Morra and Punch Bowl Brookline, which she runs with her
husband, Josh.
Jen was initiated into the restaurant business at age fifteen and has since gained deep
experience in all aspects of the industry, with a particular passion for creating
meaningful and memorable guest experiences.
In 2003, Jen and Josh opened La Morra, named after the small village in Italy where
they lived and trained after their wedding. Known for her close personal relationships
with small, family-owned vineyards around the world, Jen curates the wine lists at both
restaurants, continually sourcing unique wines from producers with whom she has
direct connections.
In 2015, they expanded to Sherborn to open Heritage of Sherborn, which they owned
and operated until 2024. Heritage allowed Jen to combine her love of hospitality, event
design, and wine into one space, hosting weddings, private functions, and wine
dinners.
In 2021, she and Josh opened Punch Bowl, a modern City Tavern in Brookline. Inspired
by the history of female innkeepers and barmaids of the late 1700s, Jen designed
Punch Bowl’s wine list to spotlight women — featuring female winemakers, vineyard
owners, and managers.
Jen is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds an Italian
