Crystal Cameron-Schaad, owner & sommelier of Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet, is a speaker, wine educator and Diploma graduate with the Wine & Spirt Education Trust (WSET). Crystal is available for media interviews on various wine topics. Call 757-264-5373 or send us an email to request a booking. Watch this video to learn more about Crystal Palate.

In The News

9 Retailers Pick Their Favorite Rosés for the Season
May 8, 2023, Seven Fifty Daily

Crystal Palate owner Crystal Cameron-Schaad, DipWSET, says that Noble Hill Mourvèdre Rosé is “up to the challenge of pairing” for lighter summer fare as well as traditional barbecue foods. She also likes the ease of the Stelvin closure for outdoor entertaining. She considers this bottle value-driven and complex and appreciates that it is organic and vegan. “Kristopher Tillery, the winemaker and owner of Noble Hill, took inspiration from Bandol and created the first Mourvèdre rose in South Africa,” she says. “I had an opportunity to spend some time at Noble Hill last year and was impressed with the quality of these artisan wines, the history, sustainability efforts, and value proposition of the estate.”

How This Small Wine Business Grew By Offering Connection And Education
February 22, 2023, Forbes
Crystal Cameron-Schaad says that she is grateful that her small business has not only survived, but managed to thrive over the past couple of years. As the owner of Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet, a boutique and education center in Norfolk, Virginia, Cameron-Schaad is an inspiration to people interested in working or further establishing themselves in the wine retail and learning industries.

Why ‘Warm Days, Cool Nights, And Special Soils’ Aren’t Attracting Young People To Wine
February 2, 2023 Forbes
Crystal Cameron-Schaad runs Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet in Norfolk, Virginia. Her business is growing in space and offerings, and she says that her clientele includes a strong following of wine consumers 40 and under. "I believe the key to attracting the younger demographic is to create unique experiences and provide valuable information they can use in their everyday life," says Cameron-Schaad.

Salty Summer Sippers
August 14, 2020, Coast Live
While rose may be coined the quintessential wine of summer, there are so many other refreshing wines to help you beat the heat this summer season. Crystal's Salty Summer Sipper collection is inspired by wines with a coastal influence.

Take-Out Wine Pairings with Crystal Palate on Coast Live
May 1, 2020, Coast Live
So many of us have been doing our best to support our favorite restaurants during this crazy time. But, have you ever wondered what spring wines pair best with your takeout menu? Wine Expert Crystal Cameron-Schaad from Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet joins us to share 2 of her go-to take out wines to help you elevate your next date night!

Valentine's Day Wine Pairings with Crystal Palate on Coast Live
February 7, 2020, Coast Live
If you're planning to stay in for a home-cooked dinner this Valentine's Day, you might be wondering what wine to choose to go with your meal. Sommelier Crystal Cameron-Schaad, DipWSET shares three great pairings that include wine $30 and under! Plus, we learn about some great gift sets that can be purchased at Crystal Palate.

Norfolk Wine Boutique Aims to Help Make Choosing Wines Less Intimidating
January 7, 2020, The Virginian-Pilot “I want to expand people’s palates, and their ideas of what wine can be,” Cameron-Shaad says. “My goal is to encourage conversations and education. People shouldn’t feel so intimidated by wine that they just stick with one type they’ve already tried and liked.”

Sparkling Wine to Celebrate the Holidays on Coast Live
December 13, 2019, Coast Live  Everyone love a great Champagne for holiday parties and New Year's Eve, but not everyone love the price tag. Crystal Palate owner and sommelier Crystal Cameron-Schaad joins us with a great variety of sparkling wines that won't break the bank this holiday season.

Cheers to Women and Wine
May 1, 2019, Tidewater Women Magazine
Crystal is thrilled that more females today are pursuing the science of wine, citing the increasing number of women winemakers. She thinks school programs like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are opening doors to careers in wine. But appreciating wine doesn’t require specialized education. A little thought is enough. “When you hold a glass of wine,” Crystal said, “you’re looking at the history, the land, and the climate of the area from which it comes.

Chocolate & Wine Pairings
February 1, 2019, Coast Live
Many people think that wine and chocolate are the perfect marriage, but the wrong pairing can leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Crystal Cameron-Schaad from Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet  explains the do's and dont's of pairing wine and chocolate.

Expert Ideas  for Wine & Champagne at Your Holiday Party
December 21, 2018, Coast Live Sommelier Crystal Cameron-Schaad from Crystal Palate Wine and Gourmet in Norfolk (crystalpalate.com) discusses price points and quality differences in sparkling wines for your big (or small) holiday party.

Choosing the Right Wine for Your Thanksgiving Feast 
November 16, 2018, Coast Live
We get some advice on pairing the perfect wine with your Thanksgiving meal from sommelier Crystal Cameron-Schaad from Crystal Palate Wine and Gourmet in Norfolk.

Tasty Sips for Virginia Wine Month
October 12, 2018, Coast Live  We've got sparkling wine from a Champagne Master in Charlottesville and other grape tastes from the Virginia mountains winning winning international acclaim. In honor of Virginia Wine Month, we check in with Crystal Cameron-Schaad, owner and sommelier, at Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet for some tips on what to try from right here at home.

The Perfect Wine for Father's Day & Summer Grilling
June 7, 2018, Coast Live
 We taste three red wines from the Rhone Valley of France with sommelier Crystal Cameron-Schaad of Crystal Palate. She discusses their distinct flavors and shares some food pairings that can be prepared on the grill.

Italian Wine Tasting & Wine 101 Tips on Coast Live 
January 18, 2018, Coast Live - Crystal Cameron-Schaad is a sommelier and owner of Crystal Palate Wine & Gourmet in Norfolk. Crystal joins us for some Fine Wine 101 advice and a taste of some special Italian wines.

Call 757-264-5373 or send us an email to request a booking.

About Crystal

Crystal Cameron-Schaad, DipWSET, owner and sommelier of Crystal Palate, knows how to command an audience. Before launching her own business, Crystal worked as a news anchor, radio show personality, political consultant and public relations executive. After deciding to exit the corporate world, Crystal studied with the Court of Master Sommeliers and became a Certified Sommelier. She recently completed the Diploma certification with the Wine Spirit & Education Trust (WSET). This certification is considered the gold standard in the international wine & spirits industry. Crystal is humbled and honored to be part of an elite class of 10,000 wine professionals worldwide who have earned this credential since the WSET began in 1969.  She is also an nominated educator with the WSET. We are offer WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2 courses as a satellite provider for the Capital Wine School.