Rebecca Murphy, Texas’ first known female sommelier, hosts a wine-tasting event with her husband at Edgemere Senior Living in Dallas.
DALLAS — By now, many people in North Texas have come to know who Rebecca Murphy is.
She is Texas’ first known female sommelier, whose expertise has shaped the local wine industry since the 1970s.
She and her husband, Dr. Keith Marton, hosted a wine-tasting at the Edgemere Senior Living community in Dallas. Murphy and Marton arrived as residents several months ago.
Rebecca’s journey into the world of wine began with a question to her boss while she was a cocktail waitress: “Well, if you haven’t found anybody, I’d like the job.”
As a cocktail waitress with twin boys at home, she was determined to break into the wine industry. Despite initial doubts— “Rebecca, you can’t carry a box of wine!” — she proved them wrong, showing that she could “carry wine under each arm. No problem there!”
In a male-dominated field, Rebecca worked tirelessly, tasting wines and studying them to hone her craft.
“Your daddy must own the restaurant; that’s why you’re working here,” people would say.
But Rebecca’s dedication spoke louder than any stereotype. Rebecca told WFAA she would taste the wine, then go home and read about it and study it.
In the years that followed, she became a sommelier, wine writer for the Dallas Morning News, and traveler to many vineyards, refining her palate along the way. Her expertise and passion for wine have made her a beloved figure in Dallas, where she now resides at Edgemere, a senior living community.
“To be the first and have her here. We’re very blessed to have her here in our community,” said Holly Worrell, Director of Lifestyles at Edgemere.
Rebecca’s journey is a testament to resilience and passion in the world of wine. The hope is for Murphy and Marton to host many more tastings in their new community.
