The Spirited Gourmet

The Spirited Gourmet is a specialty shop focused on wines and specialty foods, that also offers craft beer and spirits, along with other retail items. We pride ourselves on our exceptional products and customer service that’s second to none. You’ll find a wide selection of specialty foods, including a full-service deli with sandwiches that are simply amazing. Our lineup of imported and domestic meats and cheeses, along with a vast array of pantry items, as well as prepared foods, produce and other grocery items makes for one-stop shopping.

When it comes to wine, our philosophy is very different than most wine shops. Rather than offering name brand wines from the big conglomerates, that lack quality and are overpriced for what they are, our selection consists of carefully curated wines from small producers from all over the world. You likely haven’t heard of these wineries but, without excessive markups to cover overhead, these farmers/winemakers produce wines that are extremely well-made and reasonably priced. All this leads to a selection that drinks so much better than what you’ll pay.

If you’re into having fun, and enjoying some of the finer things in life, you’ll find shopping at The Spirited Gourmet an experience you won’t soon forget.

Our Story: The original Spirited Gourmet opened in 2004. Chris Benoit and his ex-wife, Elena Benoit, opened it together after spearheading an effort to bring in additional alcohol licenses to Winchester which, at that time, had just one. The Belmont store opened in 2007, becoming the first business to have a liquor license in this previously dry town. In 2025, Chris and Elena retired from the shop and sold the store to Jerome Dubois, who plans to keep The Spirited Gourmet a neighborhood gem for many years to come.

It's Mucci's World and we're so here for it!

Jerome Dubois
Owner

Jerome Dubois is the proud new owner of The Spirited Gourmet, a cornerstone wine and gourmet food shop in Belmont, Massachusetts. A longtime Belmont resident and dedicated community member, Jerome brings both local roots and global perspective to the beloved neighborhood store. Originally from Bordeaux, France, Jerome grew up surrounded by the traditions of wine, food, and community—values that continue to shape his life and work.

With over 25 years of experience in high-tech entrepreneurship, including co-founding and successfully exiting a Massachusetts-based startup, Jerome is now focused on revitalizing The Spirited Gourmet while preserving its cherished character. He lives in Belmont’s historic Clark Hill neighborhood with his fiancée and four children and is actively involved in local organizations, including Arlington-Belmont Crew and the Belmont Tennis Club.

Jerome is passionate about enhancing the customer experience, supporting his dedicated team, and deepening the store’s role in the community. For him, The Spirited Gourmet is more than a business—it’s a personal investment in the town he proudly calls home.

John’s interest in wine began when he helped his next-door neighbor make a batch of wine in his garage as a part of a project for his 10th grade biology class. While it was some years before he could legally consume wine, John’s interest in all things gastronomic had been piqued and the desire to learn everything he could about food led him to work in culinary in both back and front-of-house positions. A chance encounter with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino while working at an intimate, family run Italian ristorante cemented a desire to learn as much as possible about wine. From there, John went on to become beverage director at several Boston area restaurants before going to work for an importer where he helped to source fine wines for the Massachusetts market.

Now John spends his time sharing his passion for wine with the clientele at The Spirited Gourmet, where his love of the intersectionality of wine, food, and culture shines like a beam of golden light straight from the heavens above.

John Mooradian

Wine Director

Laura Maloney

Food & Marketing Manager

Growing up in Vermont, Laura developed her passion for sustainable food systems and incredible cheese. Some of her fondest early memories are of digging for new potatoes with her father in their large backyard garden, picking raspberries for homemade pies, and cooking dinners from fresh picked produce, starting at just 5 years old. She took her life-long passion for food to Whole Foods Markets where she wore lots of hats for many years; as the local product forager, in-store educator, and then specialty food and wine manager. Laura left Whole Foods and pivoted to technology sales. While lucrative, she longed to reconnect with her passions. She yearned for a non-corporate food and wine business that would let her creativity run wild, and she found that at The Spirited Gourmet in 2013.

Laura revamped the food program and started a deli that has been hugely successful. She curates the food for the store, as well as marketing and organizing events. She loves the Belmont community, the ability to hone her wine and food skills, and the fun environment she’s helped create. When she's not at work you can find her throwing gourmet dinner parties for her friends and family, having dance parties with her husband and son, and going on biking & skiing adventures. Her philosophy is that life is meant to be enjoyed and it's her greatest pleasure to help you discover the very best in food and wine.