Past Speakers
Past Speakers
Andrew Adams
Editor, Wine Analytics Report
Andrew Adams is the editor of the Wine Analytics Report and was a writer and editor at Wines & Vines magazine from 2011 to 2018. Adams grew up in the city of Sonoma, Calif., and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. While a reporter and editor for daily newspapers in … Continue reading “Andrew Adams”
Read More
Antonia Allegra
Symposium Founding Director, Writing & Career Coach, Catalyst
Antonia (Toni) Allegra is a coach and mentor dedicated to working with food and wine professionals regarding their writing and their careers. She has coached culinary starters and stars, having influenced the creation of more than 150 publications in all formats. She lives in the Napa Valley where she is active as a poet, an … Continue reading “Antonia Allegra”
Read More
Paul R. Anamosa, Ph.D.
President and Senior Soil Scientist, Vineyard Soil Technologies
Dr. Paul Anamosa is the owner of Vineyard Soil Technologies, a California based viticultural consulting company, specializing in soil analysis and land evaluation for winegrape production, vineyard design, grapevine performance, and mineral nutritional disorders. Dr. Anamosa was raised in New Mexico and has Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Biology, and Pest Management … Continue reading “Paul R. Anamosa, Ph.D.”
Read More
Brett Anderson
Director of Culture & Communications, Domain H. W. Harlan
To his role as senior vice president and editor in chief of Robb Report magazine, Brett Anderson applies a broad background in content creation spanning multiple industries and media. His areas of expertise encompass general business journalism, enterprise technologies, personal computing, telecommunications, the Internet, multimedia, consumer electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle. The various media in which he has … Continue reading “Brett Anderson”
Read More
Betsy Andrews
Columnist, Departures.com
Betsy Andrews is a wine columnist for Departures.com. She is also an editor-at-large for Rodale’s Organic Life magazine and a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, Arrive, and other publications. She is the former executive editor of Saveur magazine and editor of Saveur DRINK. She has also been a dining critic for … Continue reading “Betsy Andrews”
Read More
Jane Anson
Founder and Wine Critic, janeanson.com | @jane.anson
Jane Anson has lived in Bordeaux since 2003 and is author of Inside Bordeaux (BB&R Press 2020, called a ‘category buster’ by Wine Anorak and ‘the Bordeaux bible’ by Le Figaro), Haut-Bailly (First Press Editions 2021), Wine Revolution (Quarto 2017), The Club of Nine (Katz Publishing 2016) Angélus (Editions de la Martiniere, 2016) and Bordeaux … Continue reading “Jane Anson”
Read More
John Ash
Wine and food educator. WWS Speaker 2010
John first came to national prominence when he was selected by Food & Wine magazine as one of America’s “Hot New Chefs.” He founded his restaurant, John Ash & Company, in Northern California’s wine country, in 1980 and it continues to be critically acclaimed more than 28 years later. Nationally renowned as a wine and food educator, … Continue reading “John Ash”
Read More
Gerald Asher
Contributor to Decanter and The World of Fine Wine. WWS Speaker 2011
Long-time writer of the “Wine Journal” for Gourmet magazine, Gerald Asher is a contributor to Decanter and The World of Fine Wine, author of several wine books, member of the California Vintners’ Hall of Fame, and formerly a wine merchant in the U.K. and U.S. for more than 30 years. Born in London in 1932, Asher took a job with … Continue reading “Gerald Asher”
Read More
Eric Asimov
Chief Wine Critic, The New York Times
Eric Asimov is the chief wine critic of The New York Times and the author of “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto,’’ published by William Morrow, and “Wine With Food: Pairing Notes and Recipes From The New York Times,’’ with recipes by Florence Fabricant and published by Rizzoli. His column appears in the … Continue reading “Eric Asimov”
Read More
Oset Babür-Winter
Senior Drinks Editor, Food & Wine
Oset Babür-Winter is the Senior Drinks Editor at Food & Wine. She holds a level three certificate from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and lives with her husband in Brooklyn, New York.
Read More
Talia Baiocchi
Editor-in-Chief, PUNCH
Talia Baiocchi is the founder and editor in chief of Punch, the author of Sherry, the co-author of Spritz and Pasta, and a food and drink writer who lives, and works, in Brooklyn.
Read More
Henna Bakshi
Atlanta Editor at Eater
Henna Bakshi is the Atlanta Editor at Eater and a Wine Writers’ Symposium alumna. She has a decade of experience producing news at CNN, including on-camera reporting for food-related segments and a cooking show. She is certified in wine with a WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Level 3 degree. Her wine reporting appears in … Continue reading “Henna Bakshi”
Read More
Jullianne Ballou
Librarian, UC Davis
Jullianne Ballou is a librarian at UC Davis who is the inaugural Warren Winiarski Fellow. She curates and manages the Wine Writers Collection and develops the food and beverage collections. Previously she stewarded literary collections at the Harry Ransom Center, was an editor of the Oxford American magazine, and copyedited books for The University of … Continue reading “Jullianne Ballou”
Read More
Michael Bauer
Executive food and wine editor and restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. WWS Speaker 2010
Michael Bauer is the executive food and wine editor and restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. He has been in charge of the food and wine coverage for more than 23 years. In 2002 he was responsible for starting the Wine section, the only freestanding weekly newspaper section of its kind in the country; however … Continue reading “Michael Bauer”
Read More
Davina Baum
Director of Digital Content, Afar Media
Davina Baum has 17 years of experience in journalism, 10 of those years in online content. During her tenure as managing editor at CHOW.com, the site won a James Beard Award for Best Food Website and was twice nominated for National Magazine Awards. At AFAR, which was a finalist for a National Magazine Award in … Continue reading “Davina Baum”
Read More
Matt Bean
Editor in Chief, Sunset Magazine
Matt Bean is the Editor in Chief of Sunset Magazine and an entrepreneur advising start-ups and early-stage companies. He is the former editor-in-chief of Men’s Health. Formerly he was senior vice president of editorial innovation at Time Inc., where he led a group charged with extending the company’s award-winning content. Bean came to that role from Entertainment Weekly, where he was editor. … Continue reading “Matt Bean”
Read More
Neil Beckett
Editor of Finest Wines regional guides, published in association with UC Press. WWS Speaker 2011
Neil Beckett ascended what he hoped might be an ivory tower via a first class honors degree in English and medieval history (St. Andrews), a doctorate in medieval history (Magdalen College, Oxford) and a prize fellowship of the Royal Historical Society (University of London). Always equally interested in wine, he soon wanted to spend more … Continue reading “Neil Beckett”
Read More
Dr. Monique Bell
Founder, Wyne Belle and Professor of Marketing, California State University, Fresno
Dr. Monique L. Bell is an oenophile, marketing professor, and wine business scholar who authored the groundbreaking “Terroir Noir: Study of Black Wine Entrepreneurs” report. Terroir Noir continues to spark awareness and important conversations about inclusion and underrepresented wine entrepreneurs and consumers. Due to her efforts, Dr. Bell is a Wine Enthusiast Social Visionary of … Continue reading “Dr. Monique Bell”
Read More
Dan Berger
Distinguished writer, wine columnist and reporter and speaker on wine. WWS Speaker 2007
Dan Berger began writing about wine in 1976 and today his column is syndicated nationally by Creators Syndicate to newspapers around the world. He and his wife, Juliann Savage, also publish a weekly wine newsletter, Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, available only by subscription. He contributes articles to Gourmet magazine, Wine Press Northwest, Decanter Magazine in … Continue reading “Dan Berger”
Read More
Kristen Bieler
Editor in Chief, SevenFifty Daily
Kristen Bieler is the editor in chief of SevenFifty Daily and the editor in chief of Beverage Media Group publications. Based in New York City, she has been writing about wine, spirits and food for nearly two decades, and her work has appeared in GQ, TASTE, and Food & Wine Magazine’s Annual Wine Guide, among others. She is also a judge … Continue reading “Kristen Bieler”
Read More
Jon Bonné
Managing Editor, RESY
Jon Bonné is one of the leading American voices on wine and food. Currently he serves as managing editor of Resy, and spent nearly a decade as the wine editor and chief wine critic of The San Francisco Chronicle, where he co-edited its award-winning Food & Wine section. He also has served as lifestyle editor … Continue reading “Jon Bonné”
Read More
Virginie Boone
Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Contributing Editor Virginie Boone has been with Wine Enthusiast since 2010, and reviews and reports on the wines of Napa and Sonoma for the magazine. Sonoma-based Boone began her writing career in 1997 with Lonely Planet travel guidebooks, contributing to titles on South America, Northern California, France and America’s Deep South. Travel assignments led her … Continue reading “Virginie Boone”
Read More
Axel Borg
Distinguished Librarian Emeritus for Food and Wine. University Library , University of California, Davis
Axel Borg is the Distinguished Librarian Emeritus for Food and Wine, UC Davis Library. During his tenure at the library, he was responsible for selecting materials for the Food and Wine Collection at the Shields Library, home to the finest such library collection in the world. The collection comprises over 100,000 volumes in 52 different … Continue reading “Axel Borg”
Read More
Michelle Bouffard
Sommelier, Author and Founder of Tasting Climate Change
Originally from Quebec, Michelle moved to Vancouver to complete her Bachelor of Music degree in classical trumpet where she unexpectedly ventured into wine while working in a fine dining restaurant. Determined to make her mark in the wine industry, she graduated as a sommelier with the highest honours from the International Sommelier Guild in 2003 … Continue reading “Michelle Bouffard”
Read More
Deniece Bourne
Account Development Manager, WSET Americas
Born in Brooklyn, NYC, Deniece mostly lived and was educated in Barbados, completing an Associate degree in French, Spanish and Italian for Business and Tourism followed by a BSc in Biology with the intention of pursuing a career in Marine Biology or Forensic Sciences. In 2007, she met and fell in love with wine while … Continue reading “Deniece Bourne”
Read More
Ali Bouzari
Culinary Scientist, Author, and Co-founder of Pilot R&D and Render
Ali Bouzari is a culinary scientist, author, educator, and co-founder of Pilot R&D, a culinary research and development company, and Render, a new food company that collaborates with the best restaurant chefs in the country to reinvent the way food lovers eat. As a chef with a Ph.D. in food biochemistry, Ali has helped to … Continue reading “Ali Bouzari”
Read More
Sukari Bowman
Creator, "The Color of Wine" Podcast
A wine-loving Cali girl with Southern charm, Sukari Bowman has mastered the balance of her 20-plus year career in Real Estate Finance and her passion as the co-founder of Love & Vines, an educational, lifestyle platform that passionately cultivates souls through wine, food and music. Sukari developed her excitement for wine while working in the … Continue reading “Sukari Bowman”
Read More
Robert S. Boynton
Director, Literary Reportage Program at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
Robert Boynton is the Director of the Literary Reportage Program at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He is author of, The Invitation Only Zone, about North Korea’s Japanese abduction project, and The New New Journalism, a survey of contemporary nonfiction. He has written about culture and ideas for The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, … Continue reading “Robert S. Boynton”
Read More
Richard Bradley
Editor-in-Chief, Chief Content Officer, Worth Magazine
Richard Bradley is an editor-at-large at Worth magazine, where he covers culture and business. He is also working on his fourth book, a look at the world of elite prep schools through the lens of post-Vietnam America. Previously, Bradley was Worth’s editor-in-chief, and directed the magazine’s award-winning editorial content in print, digital and live formats. … Continue reading “Richard Bradley”
Read More
Kristin Braswell
Writer and Entrepreneur
Kristin Braswell is a writer and entrepreneur committed to changing the world through travel. She has visited over 20 countries and created lasting memories with people and places that inspire her brand CrushGlobal. She has contributed pieces to Vogue, CNTraveler, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, Architectural Digest, Essence, CNN, USA Today, and more. She encourages her clients and … Continue reading “Kristin Braswell”
Read More
Sarah H. Bray
Executive Director
Sarah H. Bray began her career first in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and then later at Sotheby’s. She then stepped into a role as an international consultant and educator, working with top estates across Europe focusing on strategy and communications, before landing in Napa in 2020. As a freelance writer, she has … Continue reading “Sarah H. Bray”
Read More
John Brecher
Senior Editor, Grape Collective | @dottieandjohn
John Brecher is known for long-form journalism at The Wall Street Journal, which won seven Pulitzers during his tenure as Page One Editor, as well as breaking news (City Editor of The Miami Herald) and mentoring (Executive Editor for Enterprise at Bloomberg News, Executive Story Editor at USA Today Network). He also has led writing … Continue reading “John Brecher”
Read More
Stacy Briscoe
Wine Journalist, Editor, Speaker & Educator | @StacyLouBriscoe
Stacy Briscoe is an award-winning journalist with 10 years experience writing for and about the wine industry. She’s held multiple roles throughout her career, including managing editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine, managing editor for Wine Industry Network, assistant editor of Wine Business Monthly, and staff writer for Wines & Vines magazine. You can find her … Continue reading “Stacy Briscoe”
Read More
Corie Brown
Founder of ZesterDaily.com, a digital magazine with original content on food and wine. WWS Speaker 2011
Corie Brown is the founder of ZesterDaily.com, a digital magazine with original content on food and wine. She is the former Los Angeles Times food section’s wine writer, where she found her stories at the nexus of agriculture, money, consumer interest, evolving culture mores, personality, glamour and hard news. A serious journalist who had been a staff reporter … Continue reading “Corie Brown”
Read More
Dominique Browning
Magazine/newspaper writer, editor. Author of 4 books under the House & Garden brand. WWS Speaker 2011
Dominique Browning is a writer, editor and consultant in the newspaper and magazine fields. She has worked with and written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, O, the Oprah magazine, Departures, Food &Wine, Travel & Leisure, Body + Soul, Wired and On Topic, among others. She writes a monthly column about environmental issues for … Continue reading “Dominique Browning”
Read More
Stacy Buchanan
Publisher, Blood of Gods
Part publisher, producer, and event promoter, Stacy Buchanan is a one-man hype machine, with a preacher’s passion to bridge not hearts to God, but wine to heavy metal music. His biannual cult heavy metal and wine publication, Blood of Gods, launched in Spring 2020, is his testimony—his Annual Merrymaking, a festival of art, music, and … Continue reading “Stacy Buchanan”
Read More
Dr. Jo Burzynska
Wine Writer, Sound Artist, and Researcher
Dr Jo Burzynska is a wine writer, sound artist and researcher whose work in these areas has increasingly converged in projects that combine sound, aroma and flavour. This includes a recent PhD investigating the influence of sound on the perception of wine, and the creation of multisensory art and immersive experiences, such the establishment of … Continue reading “Dr. Jo Burzynska”
Read More
Lauren Buzzeo
Founder/Editor & Publisher, Full Pour
Lauren has nearly two decades of experience in publishing and drinks media, formerly as the Executive Editor at Wine Enthusiast, where she occupied a variety of roles throughout her more than 15-year tenure, and prior to that at a business management firm for authors and publishing houses, working in client relations, contracts and back-of-house administrative … Continue reading “Lauren Buzzeo”
Read More
Felicity Carter
Founder, Drinks Insider
Based in Europe, Felicity Carter is the founder of Drinks Insider media and consultancy, delivering analysis and insight on the drinks business. She’s also Editorial Director of Areni Global, the fine wine think tank headquartered in London, and a guest lecturer in Storytelling at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. … Continue reading “Felicity Carter”
Read More
Bill Cascio
Director of Winery Business Relations, Glazer’s
William “Bill” Cascio is VP and director of winery business relations for the 15-state distribution network of Glazer’s Family of Companies, for whom he has worked since 2003. He is responsible for all current and new business development for the Glazer Domains and Estates fine wine portfolio. Cascio previously was employed by Brown Forman Corporation … Continue reading “Bill Cascio”
Read More
Jeannie Cho Lee
Master of Wine, Founder of Asian Palate.com, Contributor South China Morning Post, Decanter
Jeannie Cho Lee is the first Asian Master of Wine and an award-winning author, wine critic, judge and educator. Jeannie was the founding publisher and CEO of Le Pan Media. Jeannie’s pioneering book, Asian Palate, exploring Asian food and wine pairings in ten Asian culinary capitals, won the Gourmand award for Best Food and Wine Pairing … Continue reading “Jeannie Cho Lee”
Read More
Elaine Chukan Brown
Writer, Speaker, Global Educator | @hawk_wakawaka
Elaine Chukan Brown is an award winning writer, speaker, and global wine educator. They devote their work in wine to helping build greater equity for underrepresented communities, removing gatekeeping in the industry and strengthening climate action. Their book The Wines of California was published in Spring 2025.
Read More
Alison Clare Steingold
Senior Editor, C Magazine
L.A.-based Alison Clare Steingold has written and edited for Santa Monica-based C Magazine since its 2005 launch and was named senior editor in 2010. She first launched a freelance career researching and reporting on restaurants and culinary trends, while her previous years in fine dining led to co-authoring a cookbook with chef Govind Armstrong (Clarkson … Continue reading “Alison Clare Steingold”
Read More
Katherine Cole
Executive Producer & Host, The Four Top
Katherine Cole is the James Beard Award-winning executive producer and host of “The Four Top,” a podcast focusing on hot-button topics in the wine world. She is also the author of five books on wine, including Sparkling Wine Anytime and Rosé All Day, and communications director at Vin Agency. A graduate of Harvard College and … Continue reading “Katherine Cole”
Read More
Samantha Cole-Johnson
Senior Editor US, JancisRobinson.com | @samanthacolejohnson
Samantha Cole-Johnson is the Senior Editor US for JancisRobinson.com and the host of the site’s popular ‘Wine News in 5’ podcast. Prior to her current post she worked as a cellar rat – publishing her exploits on JancisRobinson.com – while freelancing for Guildsomm, SevenFifty Daily, and Wine & Spirits Magazine. She is the Oregon contributor … Continue reading “Samantha Cole-Johnson”
Read More
Billy Collins
U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003)
Billy Collins is an American phenomenon. No poet since Robert Frost has managed to combine high critical acclaim with such broad popular appeal. His work has appeared in a variety of periodicals including The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and The American Scholar, he is a Guggenheim fellow and a New York Public Library “Literary … Continue reading “Billy Collins”
Read More
Tyler Colman
Talks, teaches and writes about wine in articles, books and on his blog, DrVino.com. WWS Speaker 2009
Tyler Colman talks, teaches and writes about wine in articles, books, appearances and on his popular blog, DrVino.com. In the past year, his wine writing has also appeared in print in Food & Wine, Wine & Spirits, the New York Times, and Trump magazine. Colman teaches wine classes at NYU and the University of Chicago. He has two wine … Continue reading “Tyler Colman”
Read More
Patrick Comiskey
Senior contributor for Wine & Spirits magazine. WWS Speaker 2010
Patrick Comiskey is a senior contributor for Wine & Spirits magazine, where he serves as chief critic for all domestic wines not from California, and regularly contributes articles devoted to California, Oregon and Washington wine, wine growing and wine culture. He has traveled extensively throught the U.S. wine regions as well as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Chile, … Continue reading “Patrick Comiskey”
Read More
James Conaway
Journalist and Best-Selling Author
James (Jim) Conaway is the author of 12 books, including the upcoming novel, Nose. He grew up in Memphis but lived in Europe for several years before moving to Washington, D.C. A former Wallace Stegner fellow at Stanford University, he’s the author of three novels and nine books of non-fiction, the most recent being Vanishing America: In … Continue reading “James Conaway”
Read More
Julia Coney
Wine Journalist; Founder, Black Wine Professionals; Wine Consultant for American Airlines
Julia Coney is a Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas-based wine writer, wine educator, and consultant. Her wine writing includes stories on wine, winemakers, and the intersection of race, wine, and language. Julia is the Wine Consultant for American Airlines in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Julia is the recipient of Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 Social … Continue reading “Julia Coney”
Read More
Doug Cook
Founder of Able Grape, the world's largest wine information search engine. WWS Speaker 2011, 2010
Doug Cook is the founder of Able Grape, the world’s largest wine information search engine. Prior to founding Able Grape in 2005, Doug was the VP of Web Search Engineering at Yahoo! and Inktomi, where he helped build one of the internet’s first search engines.Most recently, he was the Director of Search at Twitter, Inc. … Continue reading “Doug Cook”
Read More
Chasity Cooper
Owner, Cheers to That, LLC
Chasity Cooper is a Chicago-based award winning writer and wine culture expert. Through her wine newsletter, Bright and Balanced, she encourages readers to courageously expand their palates. Ultimately, her goal is to make wine more accessible and relatable through storytelling, education, and travel experiences.
Read More
Julia Cosgrove
Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, AFAR Media
Julia Cosgrove is the Vice President and Editor in Chief of AFAR, the critically-acclaimed travel media brand that inspires, guides, and enables travelers to have deeper, richer, and more fulfilling experiences. Under Julia’s leadership, AFAR is the only brand to win a Lowell Thomas Award every year since launch—Best Travel Magazine, Best Website, and Best … Continue reading “Julia Cosgrove”
Read More
Katherine Cowles
Former publisher / vice president Simon & Schuster. Literary agent CowlesRyan. WWS Speaker 2011
Katherine Cowles has been involved in publishing her entire career. Her industry connections and relationships are wide and deep. For more than a decade she was at the center of New York publishing at Simon and Schuster and Doubleday. Her experience began with contracts and moved through fiction and non-fiction acquisitions, then marketing and advertising … Continue reading “Katherine Cowles”
Read More
Jonathan Cristaldi
Wine Writer
Jonathan Cristaldi is an established wine writer with more than a decade of professional experience. His articles on wine, spirits, and beer appear in both local and national print and digital platforms, including Decanter, Food & Wine, Departures; The SOMM Journal; Tasting Panel Magazine; Liquor.com; Seven Fifty Daily; Los Angeles Magazine; LA Mag’s Liquid LA … Continue reading “Jonathan Cristaldi”
Read More
Callie Crossley
Radio and TV Host, Commentator; WGBH Boston
Callie Crossley is Host/Executive Editor of “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley Show” on Boston’s WGBH-FM, 89 7. ‘Intelligent talk’ is the hallmark of the one-hour Sunday night show which examines the small local stories often missed or overlooked by the big media outlets. The talk show is the third radio program she has helmed … Continue reading “Callie Crossley”
Read More
Joe Czerwinski
Managing Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Managing Editor Joe Czerwinski coordinates all aspects of digital and print production for Wine Enthusiast magazine as well as helping drive the creative direction of the dynamic online and print publications. Czerwinski has been a wine journalist, editor and taster for over a decade and is a regular wine panelist, speaker and educator for events and organizations … Continue reading “Joe Czerwinski”
Read More
Bill Daley
Food and wine critic with The Chicago Tribune. WWS Speaker 2008
Bill Daley is a food and wine critic with The Chicago Tribune. He writes a weekly wine column, “Uncorked,” for “Good Eating,” the Tribune’s food section. His column in Sunday’s Q section, “Daley Drink,” answers questions from readers on wine, beer and spirits. In tackling the food and wine beat, Daley also covers chefs and food … Continue reading “Bill Daley”
Read More
Isis Daniel
Founder, The Millennial Somm
Isis Daniel is a dynamic wine industry expert known for her ability to connect with younger consumers. A 40 Under 40 Wine Enthusiast Tastemaker and a 2023 WineBusiness Monthly Leader in ‘Connecting with Consumers,’ she captivates audiences with innovative tastings and engaging content. A sought-after speaker, Isis has moderated panels at the DTC Wine Symposium, … Continue reading “Isis Daniel”
Read More
Miguel de Leon
Wine Director, Pinch Chinese
Miguel de Leon is a wine professional of color currently in New York City. In 2021, Miguel was named as the inaugural recipient of the Michelin Guide Sommelier of the Year Award in NYC, and Imbibe Magazine’s 75 People Building a Better Drinks World. In 2022, he won a James Beard Foundation Media Award for … Continue reading “Miguel de Leon”
Read More
Vicki Denig
Wine and Travel Journalist
Vicki Denig is a wine and travel journalist based between New York and Paris. After double majoring in French and Italian, her wine industry career began at Sud de France Développement, followed by a wine buyer position at Quality House Wines. After working as a staff writer for VinePair for one year, Vicki went on … Continue reading “Vicki Denig”
Read More
Anthony Dias Blue
Recognized world-wide as a leading food, wine and travel expert. WWS Speaker 2007
Anthony Dias Blue is recognized world-wide as a leading food, wine and travel expert. Mr. Blue is a published author, columnist, TV and radio personality. His award-winning work is circulated to more than 50,000,000 consumers each month. Mr. Blue’s consumer-oriented food and wine critiques, The Lifestyle Minute, are broadcast several times daily on WCBS radio … Continue reading “Anthony Dias Blue”
Read More
Erica Duecy
Co-founder, Business of Drinks
Erica Duecy is one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She is co-founder of Business of Drinks, a podcast and content consultancy, and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies. She also has led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and … Continue reading “Erica Duecy”
Read More
Christie Dufault
San Francisco based sommelier and wine educator. WWS Speaker 2011
Christie Dufault is a San Francisco based sommelier and wine educator. After five years as wine director at Restaurant Gary Danko and two years as wine director at Quince, she is currently a part-time sommelier at RN74 Restaurant in San Francisco. Christie remains a member of the wine faculty at The Culinary Institute of America … Continue reading “Christie Dufault”
Read More
Eliza Dumais
Freelance Writer and Editor | @elizadumais
Eliza Dumais is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor largely covering food, wine, and travel for magazines like Vogue, Food & Wine, Decanter, Cosmo, and more. She’s a born and raised New Yorker, and her fiction debut, Grape Juice, was released in 2025.
Read More
Mike Dunne
Freelance Wine Writer & Consultant
Mike Dunne is a freelance wine writer and consultant who divides his time between Sacramento and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur. He is a former food editor, wine columnist and restaurant critic of The Sacramento Bee and continues to write a weekly wine column for The Bee. He blogs for the Bee as … Continue reading “Mike Dunne”
Read More
Blake Edgar
Senior Sponsoring Editor, University of California Press
Blake Edgar studied science journalism and had a career as a magazine editor and writer before joining the University of California Press in 2000. As senior sponsoring editor, Blake acquires and publishes general interest and scholarly books about biology, archaeology, and wine. He has revived and expanded the wine publishing program at UC Press to … Continue reading “Blake Edgar”
Read More
Jonathan Elliman
Founder of Cephrus.com, award-winning design and video production, Napa, CA. WWS Speaker 2010
Jonathan Elliman is the founder of Cephrus.com, which is an award-winning video production and design firm located in Napa, CA. Trained as an architect, Jonathan got addicted to photography early on which led to traveling the far reaches of the globe shooting documentaries for the national networks such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Fine Living … Continue reading “Jonathan Elliman”
Read More
Barbara Fairchild
Tastemaker, television and radio personality, event speaker, and food, wine, authority. WWS Speaker 2009
Barbara Fairchild is a prominent tastemaker and television and radio personality, event speaker, and food, wine, and travel authority, Barbara Fairchild has been editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit since 2000. Her career with the magazine spans 30 years, beginning as an editorial assistant, and working her way up to the top of the masthead. Barbara is the author of … Continue reading “Barbara Fairchild”
Read More
Jane Faulkner
Freelance Wine Writer
Jane is a journalist by training and wine writer by vocation. She started her career in newspapers, later working at The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald, and also in TV and radio. She is a sought-after wine judge, locally and internationally, and chairs numerous shows. A long-time contributor and columnist for Halliday magazine, she has been … Continue reading “Jane Faulkner”
Read More
Roger Fawcett
Whole Foods Market Wine Buyer
Roger Fawcett, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Regional Wine Buyer, has over 14 years in the food and wine business. Roger oversees the wine program for 49 stores in Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii and Las Vegas. Roger has traveled internationally visiting vineyards and meeting winemakers whose wines he has introduced to Whole Foods Market. He … Continue reading “Roger Fawcett”
Read More
Gary Fisch
Owner, Gary's Wine & Marketplace
When Gary was working toward his B.S. from Rider College in Political Science, he didn’t yet know where life was going to take him. Gary fell in love with wine in his senior year of college while working with his father, a liquor salesman, and decided to become an expert. He educated himself at the … Continue reading “Gary Fisch”
Read More
Janet Fletcher
Author of more than 20 books on food and wine, with three James Beard Awards. WWS Speaker 2012
Janet Fletcher is the author or co-author of more than 20 books on food and wine, including Cheese & Wine; The Cheese Course; and Fresh from the Farmers’ Market (all from Chronicle Books). She writes a weekly cheese column for the San Francisco Chronicle and is a former staff food writer whose journalism earned three James Beard Awards and the … Continue reading “Janet Fletcher”
Read More
Julia Flynn Siler
Prize-winning Author and Journalist
Julia Flynn Siler is a prize-winning author and journalist. Her most recent book is Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America’s First Imperial Adventure, published by Grove/Atlantic in 2012. Her first book was the New York Times bestseller, The House of Mondavi. She is now at work on her next book, which … Continue reading “Julia Flynn Siler”
Read More
Ellen Fort
Editor, Eater SF
Ellen has been covering the Bay Area food scene since 2014, breaking news and reporting on the latest trends and restaurants. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone in St. Helena, Ellen is well-versed in the workings of restaurants and kitchens; she also spent several years working and living in Napa Valley, soaking … Continue reading “Ellen Fort”
Read More
Audrey Frick
Senior Editor and Wine Critic for Italy, Champagne, Oregon, and Sonoma at JebDunnuck.com
Audrey is the Senior Editor and Wine Critic for Italy, Champagne, Sonoma, and Oregon at JebDunnuck.com, a subscription based wine review service that is read by thousands and is heavily quoted in the wine trade. Mrs. Frick honed her knowledge of wine after a 4-year tenure at Frasca in Boulder, CO, where she worked her way … Continue reading “Audrey Frick”
Read More
Doug Frost
Sommelier, Author, Educator
Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who writes and lectures about wine, beer and spirits. In 1991 he passed the rigorous Master Sommelier examination and two years later became America’s eighth Master of Wine. He was the second person in history to complete both exams and almost two decades later he is still one … Continue reading “Doug Frost”
Read More
Don Fry
Independent writing coach. WWS Speaker 2007
Don Fry, an independent writing coach, helps writers write better, editors edit better, and managers organize better. Don has had two careers, first as an English professor and then in journalism. He headed the writing and ethics faculties at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, and edited the Institute’s series Best Newspaper Writing. In … Continue reading “Don Fry”
Read More
Dorothy J. Gaiter
Senior Editor, Grape Collective | @dottieandjohn
Dorothy J. Gaiter, senior editor of Grape Collective, an online wine magazine, is an award-winning journalist and author. She wrote The Wall Street Journal’s “Tastings,” from 1998 to 2010 with her husband, John Brecher. They’ve studied wine since 1973, written four books, and created ‘Open That Bottle Night.’ They’re part of the Warren Winiarski Wine … Continue reading “Dorothy J. Gaiter”
Read More
J’nai Gaither
Formerly Wine Enthusiast, Associate Judge for the International Wine Challenge in London
J’nai is a former Wine Enthusiast editor who champions the wines of Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire, and the lesser-known regions around the world. She is a Master of Champagne candidate, Associate Judge for London’s International Wine Challenge, and WSET Diploma candidate. She has contributed to Karen MacNeil’s third edition of The Wine Bible and other … Continue reading “J’nai Gaither”
Read More
Brianne Garrett
Managing Editor, Sweet July
Brianne Garrett is a journalist and editor focused on food, lifestyle and entrepreneurship in addition to amplifying Black and Brown voices. She is currently managing editor for Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July brand. She was an editor at Forbes, where she led content and programming to create equitable pathways for creatives of color and, before that, … Continue reading “Brianne Garrett”
Read More
Michael J. Gelb
Pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership WWS Speaker 2012
Michael J. Gelb is the world’s leading authority on the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development, and the author of 12 books. He is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership. Gelb leads seminars for organizations such as DuPont, Merck, Microsoft, Nike, Raytheon and YPO. He … Continue reading “Michael J. Gelb”
Read More
Jacqueline Gifford
Senior Editor, Travel + Leisure
Jacqui Gifford is the senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits features and covers everything from food and wine to the hottest hotel openings of the year. Her first feature at Travel + Leisure: editing Richard Alleman’s “Insider’s Guide to Napa Valley.” Prior to joining the team at T+L, she worked at Condé … Continue reading “Jacqueline Gifford”
Read More
Anthony Giglio
Wine Director, American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network
Anthony Giglio is the Wine Director for the American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network, as well as a longtime Contributing Editor at FOOD & WINE. He has written eleven books on wine, spirits, and cocktails, and hosts tastings and seminars around the world. During the pandemic, he hosted over 400 virtual tastings for 15,000 people … Continue reading “Anthony Giglio”
Read More
John Gillespie
Founder, Wine Opinions
One of the most prominent wine marketers in the U.S., John Gillespie’s career spans more than thirty years, and is highlighted by his leadership of Wine Market Council and his direction for more than a decade of the council’s ongoing programs of consumer research, advertising, and public relations. At Wine Colleagues, he directs the Consumer … Continue reading “John Gillespie”
Read More
Jamie Gillin
Deputy Editor at Dwell magazine. WWS Speaker 2012
Jaime Gross Gillin is Deputy Editor at Dwell, where she writes and edits the magazine’s Profile, My House, and feature stories and contributes regularly to Dwell.com. She also freelances, writing travel, design, art, and culture stories for publications including the New York Times, T (the New York Times style magazine), and Travel + Leisure, where she serves as … Continue reading “Jamie Gillin”
Read More
Anthony Gismondi
Writer and broadcaster, and one of North America's most influential wine critics. WWS Speaker 2011
Anthony Gismondi is one of North America’s most influential wine critics. A writer and broadcaster, he is currently in his 14th year at Wine Access, Canada’s national wine magazine and seventh as editor-in-chief. He begins his 23rd year as the weekly wine columnist at the Vancouver Sun where his full-page weekend column is read by some 1,000,000 readers. … Continue reading “Anthony Gismondi”
Read More
Evan Goldstein
Master Sommelier; President of Full Circle Wine Solutions
Evan Goldstein calls himself trilingual x 3: He speaks the three languages of wine, food, and wine-and-food pairings, and can do so in three languages — French, Portuguese, and English — to boot. An internationally-recognized authority and educator, Goldstein is a born teacher who has dedicated his adult life to introducing and sharing with others … Continue reading “Evan Goldstein”
Read More
Jamie Goode
Wine Columnist, The Sunday Express; Founder, WineAnorak
Jamie Goode started out as a scientist but switched to wine. He’s a book author, newspaper columnist and a regular contributor to a range of publications, including several US titles. He’s also prolific on social media. Currently based in the UK, he travels widely round the world of wine.
Read More
Jim Gordon
Editor, Wines & Vines
JIM GORDON, Editor, Wines & Vines magazine since 2006, is responsible for the editorial content of the monthly trade magazine founded in 1919 and its related digital publications and conferences. He directs the editorial staff and assigns and edits articles on grape growing, wine making and wine marketing. He regularly researches and writes reports on … Continue reading “Jim Gordon”
Read More
Joshua Greene
Editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine since 1986. WWS Speaker 2012
Editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine since 1986, Joshua Greene began working in wine shops during college, later spending a summer as wine captain for Wheatleigh, a small inn in Lenox, Massachusetts. After graduating from Princeton University in 1981, Joshua pursued a career in magazines, starting in management of special interest publications. His involvement with Wine … Continue reading “Joshua Greene”
Read More
Paul Gregutt
Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Paul Gregutt is a Contributing Editor for Wine Enthusiast magazine, a founding member of the magazine’s Tasting Panel, and currently reviews the wines of Oregon and Canada. Over the past 30 years, he has written thousands of articles and wine reviews for newspapers, magazines and trade journals, as well as six books on Northwest wines, … Continue reading “Paul Gregutt”
Read More
Steve Gross
Vice President, State Relations, Wine Institute
Steve Gross is Vice President, State Relations at Wine Institute, where he has been employed since 1986. Steve’s duties entail overseeing the activities of Wine Institute’s six State Relations Regional Counsels and Regional Managers as they address state legislation affecting the wine industry, as well as coordinating Wine Institute’s legislative and regulatory activities with staff, … Continue reading “Steve Gross”
Read More
Jack Hart
Author, writing coach and former managing editor at The Oregonian. WWS Speaker 2011
Jack Hart is an author, writing coach and former managing editor at The Oregonian, the Pacific Northwest’s largest daily newspaper. At The Oregonian he also worked as a reporter, arts and leisure editor, Sunday magazine editor, training editor, and editor at large. He has additional reporting experience at two other newspapers, holds a University of Wisconsin doctorate in … Continue reading “Jack Hart”
Read More
Mary-Frances Heck
VP/ GM, Media & Business Growth, Outside Inc. | @maryfrancesheck
Mary-Frances Heck is the VP/GM of Media at Outside Inc. where she oversees adventure and endurance brands including SKI, Climbing, Backpacker, and Outside Magazine. With roots in food and service journalism, she is a James Beard and IACP award-winning author and editor. Prior to joining Outside, Mary-Frances was the senior food editor of Food & … Continue reading “Mary-Frances Heck”
Read More
Steve Heimoff
Writer for Wine Enthusiast and auther of two wine books. WWS Speaker 2010
Steve Heimoff is a native New Yorker who lives in Oakland. He has written about wine for more than 20 years, first for Wine Spectator, and now for Wine Enthusiast. He has written two wine books for University of California Press and blogs at steveheimoff.com.
Read More
Rae Ann Herman
Contributing Style Editor at O The Oprah Magazine
Rae Ann Herman has worked in publishing for more than 25 years. She began her career at Glamour magazine, where she held the position of Accessories Director for a decade. Herman has also contributed her talents to Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Self and Conde Nast Traveler. Since 2011, Herman has worked as O, The Oprah Magazine‘s Style Editor and helped oversee the … Continue reading “Rae Ann Herman”
Read More
Joseph Hernandez
Senior Editor, Service & Features, Philadelphia Inquirer
Joseph Hernandez is the senior service editor for service features (formerly deputy food editor) at The Philadelphia Inquirer, having served as the Research Director for Bon Appetít, and a former editor of The Chicago Tribune, SevenFifty Daily, Thrillist, and Wine Enthusiast. A 2021 fellow of The Poynter Institute’s Leadership Academy and The National Critics Institute, … Continue reading “Joseph Hernandez”
Read More
Eric Hervé
Enologist, ETS Laboratories
Eric Hervé received his PhD from the Faculté d’Oenologie of Bordeaux, France, where he completed a research program on the key flavor components of Armagnac and Cognac brandies. Dr. Hervé joined ETS in 1997 to conduct a cork research program. First, Eric developed an automated method to reliably measure trace amounts of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), down … Continue reading “Eric Hervé”
Read More
Maggie Hoffman
Senior Editor, Epicurious
Before arriving at Epicurious, Maggie Hoffman was the managing editor of Serious Eats and the founder of that site’s drink section. She’s the author of Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Drinks for Every Occasion and The One-Bottle Cocktail: More than 80 Recipes with Fresh Ingredients and a Single Spirit, both published by Ten Speed Press. Her writing has appeared in … Continue reading “Maggie Hoffman”
Read More
Martha Holmberg
Food editor, writer, and consultant to self-publishing authors. WWS Speaker 2012
Martha Holmberg is a food editor, writer, and consultant to self-publishing authors. She is also the editorial director of Watershed Communications, a brand strategy firm that works with artisan food and drink companies. She is the former food editor of The Oregonian newspaper, the founder and editor of MIX magazine, and was the editor-in-chief of Fine Cooking magazine for 11 years. … Continue reading “Martha Holmberg”
Read More
Baxter Holmes
Senior Writer, ESPN
Baxter Holmes is a Senior Writer for ESPN who focuses on in-depth projects, features and investigations around the NBA. He’s worked as a reporter for ESPN for six years, the first three of which were spent covering the Los Angeles Lakers, including Kobe Bryant’s final two seasons. Baxter is the only sports media person to … Continue reading “Baxter Holmes”
Read More
Bob Hosmon
Senior editor at The Wine News magazine. WWS Speaker 2008
For 30 years, Bob Hosmon has been writing a weekly wine column, first for the Miami Herald and KRT Wire Service and then for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and McClatchy-Tribune News Service. He is also a senior editor at The Wine News magazine, a columnist for Miami Monthly Magazine, has been a restaurant critic for several South Florida publications, … Continue reading “Bob Hosmon”
Read More
Courtney Humiston
Writer, Wine Director Dry Creek Kitchen
Courtney Humiston, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a Certified Sommelier, is both a journalist and sommelier. Her interest in wine began as a beat reporter for NBC in New York City; she moved to California in 2010 to study wine and discovered that it is, indeed, a lifelong pursuit. She has … Continue reading “Courtney Humiston”
Read More
Jack Irby
Co-founder and managing partner of Hang Time Press. WWS Speaker 2012
Jack Irby is the co-founder and managing partner of Hang Time Press, a new-media publishing company. A former technology executive, Jack was the chief technology officer for several Bay Area-based companies including Winebid.com, Colt HR and Benelicious, which received the prestigious “Most Innovative Application” award by Salesforce.com. He is an avid wine and technology enthusiast … Continue reading “Jack Irby”
Read More
Ray Isle
Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine Magazine
Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor of Travel + Leisure. He writes Food & Wine’s monthly “Bottle Service” column, and oversees wine content for both brands as well as contributing regular print and online features about wine, spirits, and wine-related travel. His articles about … Continue reading “Ray Isle”
Read More
Nat Ives
Media editor at Advertising Age. WWS Speaker 2012
Nat Ives is media editor at Advertising Age, overseeing coverage of the media business, including publishing, TV, movies, radio, outdoor and new platforms such as tablets. He has reported on consumer magazines and newspapers since he joined Ad Age in 2005. He previously helped cover the media and advertising industries at The New York Times. He graduated from the … Continue reading “Nat Ives”
Read More
Dianne Jacob
Writing Coach, Author, Freelance Editor
Previously a newspaper, magazine, and publishing company editor-in-chief, Dianne Jacob became a full-time writing coach, author, and freelance editor in 1996. She coaches writers across the US, Canada, Europe and Asia on writing and publishing books, freelance articles, and blogs. Authors she has coached have signed with major publishers including Chronicle Books; Little, Brown; Ten … Continue reading “Dianne Jacob”
Read More
Andrew Jefford
Columnist and Contributing Editor, Decanter; Co-Chair Decanter World Wine Awards; Columnist and Contributing Editor, The World of Fine Wine; Academic Advisor The Wine Scholar Guild
Andrew Jefford has written for many British newspapers, including The Evening Standard (for ten years), The Financial Times, The Guardian and The Times; he is today Contributing Editor and a regular columnist for both Decanter and The World of Fine Wine, as well as Academic Advisor to the Wine Scholar Guild. He is one of … Continue reading “Andrew Jefford”
Read More
Heather John
Writes the Wine & Spirits column for Bon Appétit. WWS Speaker 2010
Heather John writes the Wine & Spirits column for Bon Appétit. She has been with the magazine since 2004, first as a senior editor overseeing the magazine’s wine coverage and more recently as a contributing editor. Prior to joining Bon Appétit, she was senior style editor at the Los Angeles Times Magazine. She is also the creator/editor … Continue reading “Heather John”
Read More
Hugh Johnson
Author, World Atlas of Wine, Pocket Wine Book
Hugh Johnson began his life-long passion for wine in all its variety as a member of the Wine & Food Society at Cambridge University, where he gained an Honours Degree in English Literature. When he left King’s College in 1961, he became a feature writer for Vogue and House & Garden, writing, among other articles, … Continue reading “Hugh Johnson”
Read More
William Kelley
Editor-in-Chief, The Wine Advocate
William Kelley is the editor-in-chief of “The Wine Advocate,” where he also reviews the wines of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Champagne. @wgfkelley
Read More
Kaethy Kennedy
Video Producer
Kaethy Kennedy comes from the movie marketing industry in Hollywood. For over twenty years, she helped create trailers and TV spots for some of the biggest films on the silver screen, and ran her own successful ad agency. Looking for a change, and wanting to pursue her passion for wine, she enrolled in the 2011 … Continue reading “Kaethy Kennedy”
Read More
Louise Kiernan
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Associate Professor, Medill School of Journalism
Louise Kiernan, an associate professor at the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, was formerly a writing coach, editor and reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Louse was the lead writer on “Gateway to Gridlock,” a report on the American air-traffic system, which won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory journalism. After joining the Tribune as an intern in … Continue reading “Louise Kiernan”
Read More
Erin Kirschenmann
Senior Editor, Wine Business Monthly
Erin Kirschenmann is senior editor for Wine Business Monthly and has been with the magazine since 2012. In addition to production responsibilities for the monthly trade magazine, she writes about wine industry trends, including business, technology and sales and marketing topics. Erin serves as a judge in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Catad’Or Wine … Continue reading “Erin Kirschenmann”
Read More
Todd Kliman
Author and critic
Todd Kliman is a novelist, essayist, critic, and teacher. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker, Harper’s, The Oxford American, The Daily Beast and Lucky Peach. He is the recipient of two James Beard Awards, most recently the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award for his autobiography in seven meals, and his stories and essays have been widely … Continue reading “Todd Kliman”
Read More
Chris Knutsen
Executive Editor, WSJ. Magazine
Chris Knutsen is the Executive Editor of WSJ, where he oversees a range of cultural and lifestyle coverage. Prior to joining the Wall Street Journal, he spent six years at Vogue as features editor. He has also worked at GQ, Radar, Riverhead Books and The New Yorker. Knutsen is the co-editor of two literary anthologies, Brooklyn Was Mine and Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, … Continue reading “Chris Knutsen”
Read More
Christopher Kostow
Michelin-starred chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood. WWS Speaker 2011
A Michelin-starred chef before the age of 30, Christopher Kostow is the chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood. He takes a thoughtful approach to food, blending contemporary French cuisine with the farm-to-table tradition. The Chicago native earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy before entering the world of fine dining. Since arriving at Meadowood in February 2008, … Continue reading “Christopher Kostow”
Read More
Susan Kostrzewa
Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Susan Kostrzewa has over 20 years of experience as a writer, editor and lifestyle personality in the wine industry and currently oversees all editorial direction of Wine Enthusiast Media, in addition to the global tasting programs. In her 13-year tenure at Wine Enthusiast, she has led a comprehensive rebrand of the legacy media group, including … Continue reading “Susan Kostrzewa”
Read More
Alan Kropf
Publisher and Editor, Mutineer Magazine
Mutineer Magazine publisher and editor Alan Kropf is a leader among young beverage professionals. Before founding Wine Mutineer LLC and Mutineer Magazine in 2008, Kropf contributed wine articles to magazines including Sante, The Tasting Panel, and SommSelections, and he currently contributes beverage content to newspapers and online publications. Kropf has authored over 500 blog articles and is currently nearing completion … Continue reading “Alan Kropf”
Read More
Jess Lander
Author, The Essential Napa Valley Cookbook
Jess is a freelance wine, booze, food, and travel writer based in Napa Valley. She’s a regular contributor for Decanter, SevenFiftyDaily, October Magazine, 7×7, Eater SF, Sonoma Magazine, Napa Sonoma Magazine, and the Napa Valley Register. Her work has appeared in many other publications, including VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, AFAR, Lonely Planet, and the SF Chronicle.
Read More
Tony Lawrence
Wine and food pairing specialist, sommelier, educator/lecturer and writer. WWS Speaker 2012
Tony “Winechef” Lawrence is a trusted wine and food pairing specialist. As a talented chef, sommelier, international wine and food judge, educator/lecturer and writer, he designs wine pairing programs for the global wine trade, associations, groups, college culinary/wine programs and wine festivals. His company, A Chef For You, LLC, focuses on wine and food as … Continue reading “Tony Lawrence”
Read More
Bill LeBlond
Editorial director of food and drink at Chronicle Books. WWS Speaker 2011
Bill LeBlond is the editorial director of food and drink at Chronicle Books. He is responsible for the acquisition of most of the 30 cookbooks, cocktail books, and wine books Chronicle publishes each year. Bill publishes some of the best food writers in the country and has worked with such outstanding authors as Colman Andrews, … Continue reading “Bill LeBlond”
Read More
Adam Lechmere
Consultant Editor, Club Oenologique
Adam Lechmere is consultant editor for Club Oenologique. He has been writing about wine since the turn of the century, when he launched decanter.com. He has interviewed Cliff Richard, and he lives in London.
Read More
Bonjwing Lee
Food Writer, Photographer, Founder of The Ulterior Epicure Blog
Bonjwing Lee is a food writer and photographer based in Kansas City, Missouri. His photographs have appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine Magazine, and Bon Appetit Magazine. He has also photographed for All-Clad Metalcrafters, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, and Daniel Boulud’s restaurant group Dinex, and … Continue reading “Bonjwing Lee”
Read More
Ted Lee and Matt Lee
Wine columnists for Martha Stewart Living. WWS Speakers 2009
Siblings Matt and Ted are the wine columnists for Martha Stewart Living and also write for numerous other publications. They founded The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts Catalogue, a mail-order catalogue for southern pantry staples. When a magazine editor asked them to write about great food in their home state they embarked on a second career as food and travel … Continue reading “Ted Lee and Matt Lee”
Read More
Benjamin Lewin
Molecular biologist and authority on classic wine regions. WWS Speaker 2012
Benjamin Lewin is an authority on classic wine regions. Originally a molecular biologist, he was the founding editor of the life sciences journal Cell, and also established the publishing house Cell Press. Since following a life long passion and starting a second career in wine he has published three acclaimed books, What Price Bordeaux?, Wine Myths and … Continue reading “Benjamin Lewin”
Read More
Anna Lee Iijima
Regional Editor and Critic, The New Wine Review/ Self Employed Freelance Journalist
Anna Lee C. Iijima is a Japanese and American journalist and wine critic based in New York City. In addition to the New Wine Review, she writes frequently about wine, sake, food and culture for Decanter, RESY, the Chicago Tribune and other publications. For over a decade she was a the contributing editor covering Germany, … Continue reading “Anna Lee Iijima”
Read More
Ted Loos
Freelancer on Wine, Art and Design
Ted Loos is a New York–based freelance journalist who is constitutionally incapable of covering just one topic. A former features editor of Wine Spectator, Loos has written about wine extensively for Bon Appetit, Decanter, Town & Country, and Departures, and wrote the Tasting Notes column for Epicurious.com for two years. When he wears his other … Continue reading “Ted Loos”
Read More
Sydney Love
Wine Writer and Researcher,
Sydney Love is reassessing the origin stories we tell about American wine. After several years of profiling California wine’s contemporary Black and women-led movements, they began exploring the history of African American winemaking and its roots in Virginia. In 2024, Sydney was one of 17 recipients awarded a short-term residency at the International Center for … Continue reading “Sydney Love”
Read More
Anthony Lynch
Wine Importer, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
Anthony Lynch is a national importer of French and Italian wines representing Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, the Berkeley, CA-based company founded by his father, Kermit Lynch, in 1972. Raised back and forth between California and Provence, Anthony is passionate about authentic, terroir-driven wines and proudly supports small farmers upholding the great wine traditions of France … Continue reading “Anthony Lynch”
Read More
Will Lyons
Wine Columnist, The Wall Street Journal
Will Lyons writes a weekly wine column for The Wall Street Journal. His humorous, informed, down-to-earth writing has been recognized in both the Glenfiddich and Roederer Wine Writing Awards. He began his career in London, as a wine merchant in St. James’s for Justerini & Brooks where he developed a love for the classic wines of Europe. He has written for a variety of … Continue reading “Will Lyons”
Read More
Chris Macias
Critic-at-Large, The Sacramento Bee
Chris Macias serves as “Critic-At-Large” for The Sacramento Bee, where he has covered food, wine, music and local culture since 1999. His profile of Tim Hanni, an iconoclastic Master of Wine and recovering alcoholic, was selected for the 2015 edition of “Best Food Writing” from Da Capo Press. Macias was also selected for the 2012 … Continue reading “Chris Macias”
Read More
André Mack
Sommelier, Host, Vintner, Founder, Author
Iconoclastic sommelier André Hueston Mack was the first African-American to be named Best Young Sommelier in America by Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was a sommelier at Thomas Keller’s renowned The French Laundry before opening Chef Keller’s three-Michelin-starred Per Se. As one of the top professionals in the wine industry, he has worked with the likes … Continue reading “André Mack”
Read More
Jordan Mackay
Writer / Author
Jordan Mackay is a James-Beard-award winning writer on wine, spirits and food. His work has appeared in Food & Wine, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Decanter, The Art of Eating, Wine and Spirits, and many others. He is he author or co-author of nine books, including the award-winning 2009 books … Continue reading “Jordan Mackay”
Read More
Natalie MacLean
Named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards. WWS Speaker 2011
Natalie MacLean, named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards, publishes a free newsletter that reaches more than 123,000 wine lovers at www.nataliemaclean.com. She has won both the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation and the M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les Dames d’Escoffier … Continue reading “Natalie MacLean”
Read More
Karen MacNeil
Wine Educator, Consultant and Author of The Wine Bible
Karen MacNeil has won scores of awards including the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year. She is the author of THE WINE BIBLE which has sold more than one million copies and was featured in the Netflix series Uncorked. A former correspondent for the Today Show, Karen was the host … Continue reading “Karen MacNeil”
Read More
Meg Maker
Writer and Artist, Megmaker.com; Founder, Terroir Review
Meg Maker is a writer and artist curious about nature, food, wine, and place. She creates features for trade and lifestyle publications, including her own site, Terroir Review. She also mentors individual writers and consults on content strategy and editorial design. She has an ongoing interest in the language of wine and how the established … Continue reading “Meg Maker”
Read More
Avis Mandel
Experienced professional life-style, advertising and corporate photographer. WWS Speaker 2010
An experienced professional life-style, advertising and corporate photographer, Avis Mandel enjoyed a successful career in Minneapolis and Chicago prior to the family’s move to Napa Valley. The transition has elevated her artistic style from “corporate” Midwest to the romantic, vibrant life expression that permeates wine artwork. She includes large and small wineries around the world … Continue reading “Avis Mandel”
Read More
Wanda Mann
East Coast Editor, The SOMM Journal & Founder, Wine With Wanda | @winedinewanda
Wanda Mann has been writing about wine for over fifteen years. She is the East Coast Editor for The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Wanda’s writing has also been published in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, NAPA Magazine, Saveur, and other publications. An in-demand speaker, Wanda has been featured at the Food & … Continue reading “Wanda Mann”
Read More
Laurel Marcus
Executive Director, California Land Stewardship Institute
Laurel Marcus is the executive director of the nonprofit organization, the California Land Stewardship Institute. She has over 30 years of experience in watershed, river and wetland restoration work in California. Ms Marcus is the author of the Fish Friendly Farming Environmental (FFF) Environmental Certification Program (also known as the Napa Green Land Certification) that … Continue reading “Laurel Marcus”
Read More
Meridith May
Owner, The SOMM Journal; Co-founder, The Tasting Panel and The Clever Root
Meridith May is the owner of The SOMM Journal and the co-founder of THE TASTING PANEL Magazine and The CLEVER ROOT magazines. She is responsible for the publications’ branding and content. She has successfully increased each national magazine’s circulation and readership to reach over 65,000 bi-monthly for SOMM Journal and over 90,000 hospitality industry professionals … Continue reading “Meridith May”
Read More
Frances Mayes
Best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and A Year in the World. WWS Speaker 2010
Frances Mayes is the best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and A Year in the World, a widely published poet and essayist and Formerly a professor of creative writing at San Francisco State University. She has always adored houses, and when she saw Bramasole, a neglected, 200-year old Tuscan farmhouse nestled in five overgrown acres, it was … Continue reading “Frances Mayes”
Read More
Tilar J. Mazzeo
Author, Educator
Tilar J. Mazzeo is the New York Times bestselling author of books that include The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate Story of the World’s Most Famous Perfume, and The Hotel On The Place Vendôme: Life, Death, And Betrayal … Continue reading “Tilar J. Mazzeo”
Read More
Elin McCoy
Wine & Spirits Writer, Bloomberg News
Elin McCoy, a writer on wine and spirits for Bloomberg News, Shattered, and Food & Wine, is author of The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M. Parker Jr. and the Reign of American Taste. Elin met Parker in 1981 when she was his first magazine editor, and she has followed his extraordinary rise ever since. She is … Continue reading “Elin McCoy”
Read More
Angela McCrae
Executive Director, Association of African American Vintners
Angela McCrae is a creative strategist and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in media, communications, events, and championing diversity. She launched the wine and culture brand, Uncorked & Cultured, from her New York City apartment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The media company is a content, marketing, and engagement solution to the inequitable relationship … Continue reading “Angela McCrae”
Read More
Amanda McCrossin
Certified Sommelier, Wine Personality and Podcast Host, SommVivant.me
Amanda McCrossin is a certified sommelier, wine personality, podcast host, and wine-focused content creator on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. With over 400,000 followers across platforms, Amanda has been called “one of the most influential creators” in the wine community creating wine-focused, relatable content to help consumers via her @sommvivant channels. A 10+ year veteran in … Continue reading “Amanda McCrossin”
Read More
Jay McInerney
Novelist and Town & Country magazine wine columnist
Jay McInerney is the critically acclaimed author of eleven books – eight of which are works of fiction. Time Magazine cited his first bestselling novel, Bright Lights, Big City (1984), as one of nine generation-defining novels of the twentieth century. Translated into more than 20 languages it has irrefutably achieved the status of a contemporary … Continue reading “Jay McInerney”
Read More
Dave McIntyre
Wine Columnist, The Washington Post
Dave McIntyre has written the weekly wine column for The Washington Post’s James Beard Award-winning Food section since October 2008. His column is widely syndicated and often appears in newspapers across the country. His writings have also appeared in Wine Enthusiast, the San Francisco Chronicle, Washingtonian and other publications. He created his blog, Dave McIntyre’s … Continue reading “Dave McIntyre”
Read More
Rob McMillan
Founder, Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division
Rob McMillan is EVP and founder of Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division based in Saint Helena, California. Starting in 1992, he developed the division from the idea and start-up phase to the point where it’s now regarded as the leading and most connected provider of financial services to the U.S. fine wine business. Rob’s banking … Continue reading “Rob McMillan”
Read More
Jonathan Miles
American Journalist and Novelist
Jonathan Miles was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1971, and raised in Arizona. He left home in his teens, infatuated with the blues and intent on a life in music. After a layover back in Cleveland, where he occasionally performed with the late Robert Jr. Lockwood at the Brothers Lounge on Detroit Avenue, he landed … Continue reading “Jonathan Miles”
Read More
Christian Miller
Wine consultant, negoçiant, and marketing expert. WWS Speaker 2010
Christian Miller has worked in the wine industry since 1983, primarily in marketing. His industry experience includes restaurant and retail wine sales, work as a consultant and negoçiant, marketing management and market research. He is currently proprietor of Full Glass Research and a founder of WineOpinions.com, where he is responsible for research design and development. … Continue reading “Christian Miller”
Read More
Esther Mobley
Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle
Esther Mobley is the senior wine critic at the San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2015, she was an assistant editor at Wine Spectator magazine in New York and an intern at Wine Enthusiast. She has worked harvests at wineries in Napa Valley and Argentina.
Read More
Jeff Morgan
Napa Valley-based winemaker, author and educator. WWS Speaker 2010
Napa Valley-based winemaker, author and educator Jeff Morgan has written on wine and food for such publications as The New York Times, Elle, Food & Wine, Drinks, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator. The author has written four books: Dean & DeLuca, The Food and Wine Cookbook; Rosé, A Guide to The World’s Most Versatile Wine; and The Working Parents … Continue reading “Jeff Morgan”
Read More
Jasper Morris MW
Owner, Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy
Jasper spent nearly 40 years as a practicing Wine Merchant in the UK, mainly with his own importing company (Morris & Verdin Ltd 1981-2003) and Berry Bros & Rudd (2003-2017) becoming established as one of the country’s leading Burgundy experts. He published Inside Burgundy in 2010, winning the André Simon book award winner‚ and again … Continue reading “Jasper Morris MW”
Read More
Tod Mostero
Director of Viticulture and Winemaking, Dominus Estate
Tod Mostero has been Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at Dominus Estate since 2007 and at Ulysses since 2008. Born in Southern California, Mostero studied architecture at Tulane University, and viticulture and enology at the Lycee de Blanquefort and the University of Bordeaux. He has trained at Chateau Haut-Brion, Opus One and Domaine de la … Continue reading “Tod Mostero”
Read More
Vic Motto
Co-founder, chairman and CEO of Global Wine Partners LLC. WWS Speaker 2010
Vic Motto is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Global Wine Partners LLC, specializing in wine industry mergers, acquisitions and investments. His clients include many of the top wine businesses around the world. Vic is an investment banker, registered securities principal and CPA. He serves as a director or advisor to several wine industry trade groups … Continue reading “Vic Motto”
Read More
Linda Murphy
JancisRobinson.com, Decanter, Wine Review Online
In summer of 1990, Linda Murphy quit her job as a newspaper sportswriter/editor in San Diego, Calif., and moved to Sonoma County. The wine bug bit deep during a harvest job with a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir producer, and since then, Linda has progressed from barrel washer to winery public relations director, to San Francisco … Continue reading “Linda Murphy”
Read More
Jen Murphy
Deputy Editor, Afar Magazine
Jen Murphy is the deputy editor of Afar magazine, a three-year-old travel magazine based in San Francisco. As deputy editor, Jen assigns and edits feature stories, essays, columns, and also produces special sections and packages. She is a recent California transplant and loves being able to live the lifestyle she once wrote about during her eights years … Continue reading “Jen Murphy”
Read More
Nadine Nettmann
Editorial Director, SOMM TV
Nadine Nettmann is the Editorial Director of SOMM TV and producer of the three upcoming SOMM films as well as most of the series on the network. She is a certified sommelier and a multi award-nominated author of the Sommelier Mystery Series.
Read More
Orianne Nouailhac
Publisher, Editor in Chief, VIGNERON
Former a classical dancer, and graduated with a Masters degree in History with a specialty in the 17th century, Orianne Nouailhac created her first magazine at the age of 25. Piano was dedicated to the greatest classical and jazz artists. She worked throughout the years for several cultural publications in France. From 2005 to 2010, she was a … Continue reading “Orianne Nouailhac”
Read More
Lee Oglesby
Senior Editor, Flatiron Books
Lee Oglesby is a Senior Editor at Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillan. She acquires a range of idea-driven nonfiction and is drawn to books about science, the environment, health, and food. She lives and works in Brooklyn.
Read More
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Founder, The Wine Advocate and eRobertParker.com
Robert M. Parker, Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 23, 1947. For ten and one half years he was an attorney. On March 9, 1984 he resigned his position as Assistant General Counsel for the Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore to devote full attention to wine writing for The Wine Advocate newsletter, which … Continue reading “Robert M. Parker, Jr.”
Read More
Patricio Tapia
Publisher, Descorchados Wine Guide
Patricio Tapia studied journalism in Chile and then tasting and winemaking at the faculty of oenology in Bordeaux, France. During his long career, Patricio has written several books on wine and, since 1999, he has published his annual guide to South American wines, Descorchados, which includes more than five thousand wines from the region and … Continue reading “Patricio Tapia”
Read More
Cyril Penn
Editor, Wine Business Monthly
Cyril Penn is editor in chief of Wine Business Monthly and winebusiness.com, part of Wine Communications Group, the leading supplier of information to the wine industry. Penn has been with WBM since 2000. His work on the wine business has appeared in a number of publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, where he contributed the … Continue reading “Cyril Penn”
Read More
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Editor in Chief, Wine Advocate and eRobertParker.com
Born and raised in Maine, USA, Lisa Perrotti Brown, MW, began her career as the manager of a wine bar in London more than 20 years ago. She progressed through wine sales and marketing roles in the UK wine trade before moving to Tokyo in 2002 where she worked as a wine buyer for one … Continue reading “Lisa Perrotti-Brown”
Read More
Dan Petroski
Founder, Winemaker, Massican | @danpetroski
Dan is a Napa Valley Winemaker and was formerly a magazine executive at Sports Illustrated and TIME magazines. He previously published a magazine on Instagram in partnership with Phaidon Press (2020-2021), and produced a cookbook on Substack and Instagram (2022-2023). Dan is presently developing an Italian travel newsletter and a compendium of pasta.
Read More
Paige Porter Fischer
West Coast Editor of Better Homes & Gardens since 2004. WWS Speaker 2012
Paige Porter Fischer has been West Coast Editor of Better Homes & Gardens since 2004. She oversees almost every West Coast story that makes its way into the pages of Better Homes & Gardens, which boasts some 7.9 million subscribers and 39 million readers. Paige covers food, wine, home and garden for the magazine—from the story pitch to … Continue reading “Paige Porter Fischer”
Read More
Frank Prial
New York Times reporter for 30 years, and author of the wine column, Wine Talk. WWS Speaker 2009
A consummate story teller, Frank Prial wrote for The New York Times for 30 years as a reporter, foreign correspondent and author of the wine column, Wine Talk. Prial, who retired from The Times in 2005, is the author of the book, Wine Talk, published in 1978, Companion to Wine published in 1992 and Decantations published in 2001.
Read More
Madeline Puckette
Creator, Wine Folly
Madeline Puckette is the creator of Wine Folly. Wine Folly is an award-winning brand dedicated to wine education for all. Puckette’s work with Wine Folly includes two books, a New York Times bestseller and a James Beard Award winner, as well as a portfolio of online courses, maps, prints, and wine education tools. She was awarded … Continue reading “Madeline Puckette”
Read More
Clive Pursehouse
North American Editor, Decanter | @clivity
Clive Pursehouse is Decanter’s North American Editor. Based in Seattle, Washington, Pursehouse has developed a deep appreciation for the wines of the Pacific Northwest over the course of 20 years, and is the regional expert on the wines and producers of Oregon and Washington State for Decanter.
Read More
Brenna Quigley
Geologist; Host, Roadside Terroir Podcast
Brenna Quigley is a geologist with over seven years of experience focusing on terroir in the wine industry. She hosts and produces the podcast Roadside Terroir which is currently releasing its second season, focused on Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. She works with wine professionals around the world to promote a better understanding of the world around … Continue reading “Brenna Quigley”
Read More
Christina Rasmussen
Co-founder and Head of Content, LITTLEWINE
Christina Rasmussen is a Danish wine writer, photographer, and conservationist, based in London. She is co-founder and Head of Content of LITTLEWINE, an online wine platform launched in April 2020. It aims to bring the consumer closer to the makers and farmers behind the bottle through emotive language, photography and film. All of their work … Continue reading “Christina Rasmussen”
Read More
Ruth Reichl
Food Writer, Eater, Cook
Ruth Reichl is the author of My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life, a cookbook published in September 2015. She was Editor in Chief of Gourmet Magazine from 1999 to 2009. Before that she was the restaurant critic of both The New York Times (1993-1999) and the Los Angeles Times (1984-1993), where she was also named food editor. As co-owner of The … Continue reading “Ruth Reichl”
Read More
Charles Reidelbach
Intellectual property expert in the wine, food and culinary arts industry. WWS Speaker 2007
Charles Reidelback Jr., a partner and chair of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack’s Intellectual Property Group, represents clients in the wine, food and culinary arts industry having a wide spectrum of intellectual property-related legal needs, involving trademarks, trade dress, unfair competiting, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, electronic commerce, rights of publicity and entertainment law. An avid cook … Continue reading “Charles Reidelbach”
Read More
Linda Reiff
President and CEO of the Napa Valley Vintners
Linda Reiff is President and CEO of the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020. Reiff was named Wine Enthusiast’s Person of the Year for 2019—only the second woman to win the award since it was first given in 2000. She grew up in the Sacramento Valley in a 5th-generation farming … Continue reading “Linda Reiff”
Read More
Joe Roberts
Founder of the 1WineDude.com wine blog is a wine consultant. WWS Speaker 2011
Joe Roberts, founder of the 1WineDude.com wine blog is a wine consultant and musician in the greater Philadelphia area. He is a Certified Specialist of Wine, and holds both the Level 2 (Intermediate, with Distinction) and Level 3 (Advanced, with Merit) Certificates in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) based in England. … Continue reading “Joe Roberts”
Read More
Jancis Robinson
Master of Wine, Wine Writer and Publisher of JancisRobinson.com
Described by Decanter magazine as “the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world,” Jancis Robinson writes daily for JancisRobinson.com (one of the most successful subscription wine websites and voted first-ever Wine Website of the Year in the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards 2010), weekly for The Financial Times, and bi-monthly for a … Continue reading “Jancis Robinson”
Read More
Andrea Robinson
Master Sommelier, Author, Presenter
Andrea Robinson is one of only 32 women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier. The first woman designated as Best Sommelier in the United States, Andrea is also an honors graduate of the French Culinary Institute and Sommelier for Delta Air Lines. She is the winner of three James Beard awards … Continue reading “Andrea Robinson”
Read More
Pavia Rosati
Founder and CEO, Fathom
Pavia Rosati is the founder and CEO of Fathom, the award-winning travel website that guides passionate travelers to the places they’ll be dreaming about long after they’ve come home. Fathom mixes curated guides and personal stories with the best resources and products, and plans custom trips for readers. Companies like Vox Media, American Express, Qantas Airlines, … Continue reading “Pavia Rosati”
Read More
David Rosengarten
Wine Editor, Saveur Magazine
Journalist, television personality, and cookbook author, David Rosengarten has covered great food products, restaurants, wines, gastronomic travel destinations, and related subjects for over 25 years. Currently the wine editor of Saveur magazine, he has written hundreds of articles and contributed hundreds of original recipes to other publications such as Gourmet (where he was restaurant critic from 1996 to 2000), The … Continue reading “David Rosengarten”
Read More
Steven Rothfeld
Photographer, Author
Steven Rothfeld earned degrees in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and Photography from Art Center College of Design before beginning his adventures as a travel photographer with an emphasis on the culinary world. He has traveled to over 40 countries and has photographed books by Michael Chiarello, Frances + Edward Mayes, Marcel Marceau, Wolfgang Puck, … Continue reading “Steven Rothfeld”
Read More
Tracey Ryder
Co-Founder, Edible Communities, Inc.
Tracey Ryder co-founded Edible Communities, Inc., the nation’s largest publishing company dedicated to the local foods movement, in 2002, with her partner, Carole Topalian. The company currently publishes 95 titles across North America. Ms. Ryder has worked as a journalist, marketer and graphic designer for the culinary, tourism and agriculture industries for nearly 30 years. … Continue reading “Tracey Ryder”
Read More
Stephen Satterfield
Co-Founder, Whetstone Media
Stephen Satterfield is a publisher, public speaker, writer, event and multimedia producer. He is the founder of Whetstone, a groundbreaking magazine and media company dedicated to the story of food. Since 2007, he has spent his career using food and wine as means of organizing, activating and eduating. Before his career in media, Satterfield was … Continue reading “Stephen Satterfield”
Read More
Leslie Sbrocco
Author, Speaker, Consultant, Television Host
An award-winning author, speaker, consultant, and television host, Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food, as well as inspiring others to live a life of passion. Voted as one of the Top 100 most influential people in the American wine business, Sbrocco’s engaging personality, humor, and ability to connect with … Continue reading “Leslie Sbrocco”
Read More
Erin Scala
Market Street Wine Shop - Director
Erin owns and runs the historic Market Street Wine shop in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is the editor and regular contributor for the Thinking-Drinking blog, and is a freelance wine journalist for various publications, including Wine & Country Living, Wine & Spirits, Knife & Fork magazine, and The C-Ville Weekly. Oh, and she has two hilarious … Continue reading “Erin Scala”
Read More
Courtney Schiessl Magrini
Editor-in-Chief, SevenFifty Daily/Beverage Media Group
Courtney Schiessl Magrini is a Brooklyn-based wine journalist, editor, educator, and consultant who has held sommelier positions at some of New York’s top restaurants, including Marta, Dirty French, and Terroir. She is currently the editor-in-chief for SevenFifty Daily and Beverage Media publications. Her work has also appeared in Wine Enthusiast, GuildSomm, Forbes.com, The SOMM Journal, … Continue reading “Courtney Schiessl Magrini”
Read More
Sara Schneider
Wine Editor, Sunset magazine
Sara Schneider is Sunset magazine’s first wine editor, responsible for tasting panels, food-and-wine pairing, wine-related food and travel coverage, Sunset’s International Wine Competition, and the magazine’s wine club. With a B.A. and an M.A. in English, Sara taught high-school English for 10 years before a love of cooking drew her to San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy, where her wine … Continue reading “Sara Schneider”
Read More
Bruce Schoenfeld
Wine and spirits editor of Travel & Leisure. WWS Speaker 2011
Bruce Schoenfeld is the wine and spirits editor of Travel & Leisure and writes frequently for the magazine on wine and other topics. He’s a former contributing editor for Wine Spectator, and his work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Gourmet, The Atlantic Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and many other national and international publications. His books include The Last Serious Thing: … Continue reading “Bruce Schoenfeld”
Read More
Alexandra Schrecengost
Founder, Virtual With Us
2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker, Alexandra Schrecengost founded Virtual With Us in 2020 following Culture With Us in 2021 – and serves as the CEO. The organizations & missions are to support global corporations with distributed workforces through cultural programming, D & I initiatives and food and beverage entertainment to better improve human … Continue reading “Alexandra Schrecengost”
Read More
Michael Shapiro
Journalism Professor, Founder of The Big Roundtable
Michael Shapiro is the author of six nonfiction books, most recently “The Last Good Season,” and “Bottom of the Ninth.” His work has appeared in such publications as The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Esquire and Sports Illustrated. He is a professor of journalism at Columbia University and founder of The Big Roundtable, … Continue reading “Michael Shapiro”
Read More
Jerry Shriver
Writer for the Destinations & Diversions section of USA Today. WWS Speaker 2007
Jerry Shriver writes about wine, dining, travel and whatever else catches his eye for the Destinations & Diversions section of USA Today, the nation’s largest general-circulation newspaper. The Ohio native and 1978 Ohio State University graduate has held numerous editing and writing positions since joining the USA Today staff in 1983. In 2002 his eulogy … Continue reading “Jerry Shriver”
Read More
Reva K. Singh
Owner, Sommelier India Wine Magazine
Reva K. Singh, a veteran of the Indian magazine industry, is the owner and publisher of Sommelier India Wine Magazine, the first and only Indian magazine dedicated to wine. Prior to this, Reva edited The Oberoi Group Magazine for six years raising it to a level of excellence comparable to the best international hotel magazines. … Continue reading “Reva K. Singh”
Read More
James Sligh
Sommelier and Wine Educator
James Sligh is a sommelier and educator in Brooklyn. With Jirka Jireh, he helped create Industry Sessions, a natural wine study for BIPOC beverage professionals. His personal project, the Children’s Atlas of Wine, maps underrated regions, overlooked grape varieties, and the people who grow them.
Read More
Aidy Smith
TV Presenter, Executive Producer & Drinks Communicator
Aidy Smith is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, content creator and speaker. His core pillars include drink, food, travel, lifestyle, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity topics. In 2018 he created the world’s highest rated drinks-travel series, The Three Drinkers. With 3 seasons airing on Amazon Prime in 100 territories and 10+ languages around the world, the show has … Continue reading “Aidy Smith”
Read More
Kelly Snowden
Editorial Director, Ten Speed Press
Kelly Snowden is the editorial director for food and beverage at Ten Speed Press. Prior to that she worked as an editor at Food & Wine; her freelance work has appeared in Sunset, Glamour, and Time Out New York. At Ten Speed she is interested in smart, compelling narratives that encourage readers to explore new … Continue reading “Kelly Snowden”
Read More
Steven Spurrier
Consultant Editor, Decanter Magazine
STEVEN SPURRIER, born 5th October 1941, was educated at Rugby School and the London School of Economics. In 1964 he joined the wine trade as a trainee with Christopher and Co (established 1665). In 1970 he moved to Paris and purchased Les Caves de la Madeleine, a small shop in the centre of the city, and … Continue reading “Steven Spurrier”
Read More
Jermaine Stone
Founder, Wine & Hip Hop
Jermaine Stone is a visionary entrepreneur, wine expert, and hip-hop artist who has redefined the intersection of wine and music. Known as “The Wolf of Wine,” he founded Wine and Hip Hop, a creative agency blending these two worlds through marketing and content. From humble beginnings at Zachys Wine Auctions, he became the first Black … Continue reading “Jermaine Stone”
Read More
Per Styregård
Wine Writer and Chairman, Swedish Wine Writers Association
Per Styregård is a writer living in Stockholm with his wife and son. He’s the wine critic of the largest Scandinavian business daily newspaper, Dagens Industri, the founder of the innovation program Circular Gastronomy, and Academy Chair of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for Scandinavia & the Baltics. His latest book is called “Smakens makt” … Continue reading “Per Styregård”
Read More
Katie Tamony
Vice president and editor-in-chief of Sunset magazine. WWS Speaker 2012
Katie Tamony is vice president and editor-in-chief of Sunset, the premier magazine of Western living. Based in Menlo Park, Calif., Sunset is a subsidiary of Time Inc. The magazine has a circulation of more than 1.25 million readers throughout the 13 Western states. Tamony joined the company in 1994 as a copy editor, and was named copy chief … Continue reading “Katie Tamony”
Read More
Lettie Teague
Wine columnist for The Wall Street Journal
Lettie Teague is the wine columnist for The Wall Street Journal. Her column “On Wine” is published every Saturday (except one) she wrote another weekly column “Uncorking New York” for The Wall Street Journal’s Greater New York section until that section was discontinued. She has won three James Beard awards. Lettie joined The Wall Street … Continue reading “Lettie Teague”
Read More
Tara Q. Thomas
Managing Editor, JancisRobinson.com
Soon after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Tara Q. Thomas traded in her knife kit for a wine glass and never looked back. The former executive editor of and wine critic for Wine & Spirits Magazine, she’s now the managing editor of JancisRobinson.com. A specialist in the wines of Austria, Germany and the Mediterranean, … Continue reading “Tara Q. Thomas”
Read More
Pat Thomson
Freelance Writer, Co-Founder, La Dolce Vita Wine Tours
Italian wine is my beat, and the village of Varinella (pop. 252) near Gavi my home when not in Brooklyn. Since 2002, my feature stories and photographs have appeared in Tastes of Italia, an Italian cooking magazine where I’m a contributing writer. Other outlets include Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, and Gastronomica, as well as my blog … Continue reading “Pat Thomson”
Read More
Sophie Thorpe
Group Campaigns + Editorial Manager, FINE+RARE; Freelance Writer
Sophie Thorpe is a London-based wine writer. By day, she works as Group Campaigns & Editorial Manager at the merchant FINE+RARE, looking after – among other things – their Editorial section. She previously spent nearly seven years doing similar work at Berry Bros. & Rudd. Alongside her 9-to-5, she does some freelance writing and has … Continue reading “Sophie Thorpe”
Read More
Kristin Tice Studeman
Contributng Editor, Style.com and ELLE.com
Kristin Tice Studeman is a contributing editor at style.com and ELLE.com and a freelance writer contributing to a variety of lifestyle print and online publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, W, Women’s Wear Daily, Cosmopolitan, and more.
Read More
Jacy Topps
Print Assistant Editor, Wine Enthusiast
Jacy Topps is the print assistant editor at Wine Enthusiast. Prior to joining the team, Jacy was a freelance journalist for nearly a decade, covering wine, food, travel, health, race, and equality. You can find her byline in major publications including Oprah Magazine, Glamour, Slate, Vice, and Cosmopolitan. Jacy is passionate about wine sustainability, storytelling, … Continue reading “Jacy Topps”
Read More
Rom Toulon
Judge at San Francisco's International Wine Competition and noted sommelier. WWS Speaker 2011
Born and raised in the rich wine culture of France’s Loire Valley, Rom Toulon’s early interest in wine led him to the restaurant business at the age of 15. The Vouvray native went to work in a local Michelin two-star restaurant in the Loire Valley while still in high school. He further honed his skills … Continue reading “Rom Toulon”
Read More
MJ Towler
Host, Executive Producer & Creator, The Black Wine Guy Experience Podcast
MJ Towler is the host, executive producer, and creator of The Black Wine Guy Experience podcast. MJ got his start and wine in 1998 working at storied retailer Acker Wines in New York City. From there he became Assistant Wine Director at the Sparrow Wine & Liquor Co. in Hoboken NJ before heading out West. … Continue reading “MJ Towler”
Read More
Julia van der Vink
Vineyard Manager, Harlan Estate
Julia van der Vink is the Vineyard Manager at Harlan Estate. Julia has worked at several wineries around the world including Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley, Mullineux in the Swartland, Burn Cottage in Central Otago, and Mayacamas in the Napa Valley. Julia joined Harlan Estate in 2016 to launch their vineyard and winery research … Continue reading “Julia van der Vink”
Read More
Mike Veseth
Editor, The Wine Economist
Mike Veseth is professor emeritus of International Political Economy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He is an authority on globalization and the global wine market. Mike was named Washington Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of … Continue reading “Mike Veseth”
Read More
Sue Veseth
Contributing Editor, The Wine Economist
Sue Veseth, contributing editor of The Wine Economist (wineeconomist.com), has more than 35 years of corporate communications experience. She has expertise in communications strategy development and implementation, writing, copy editing, media relations, and project management. She regularly won industry awards for both customer and employee publications and communications projects. Since retiring from the corporate world, … Continue reading “Sue Veseth”
Read More
S. Irene Virbila
Restaurant Critic, Wine Columnist, Los Angeles Times
S. Irene Virbila was the restaurant critic and wine columnist for the Los Angeles Times for 22 years. Her worldly perspective on the L.A. dining scene has won a James Beard Foundation Award in 1997 and the American Food Journalists Award in 2005. Before joining The Times in 1993, she wrote about food, wine and … Continue reading “S. Irene Virbila”
Read More
Stephen Wallis
Deputy Editor of Departures, the lifestyle magazine published by American Express. WWS Speaker 2010
Stephen Wallis is the deputy Editor of Departures, the lifestyle magazine published by American Express. In addition to overseeing most of the cultural content in Departures, he edits and writes stories on travel, food, wine, and luxury goods. Prior to joining the magazine in 2005, he worked for nearly a decade as an editor at art publications, … Continue reading “Stephen Wallis”
Read More
Gary Walther
The Hotel Detective for Forbes.com, Contributing Editor at ForbesLife
Gary Walther is a paid Forbes.com columnist on luxury hotels (The Hotel Detective) and a contributing editor at ForbesLife, the luxury lifestyle magazine published by Forbes Media (850,000 subscribers). He served as editor of the magazine from early 2008 to late 2009. He has a 26-year editorial career in luxury lifestyle publications. In 1989 he took … Continue reading “Gary Walther”
Read More
Natalie Wang
Founder and Editor in Chief, Vino Joy News
A Hong Kong-based Chinese wine journalist, Natalie Wang was born and raised in Chongqing, China. She obtained her Master’s degree in Journalism at the University of Hong Kong, and honed her journalist skills with International Herald Tribune, Thomson Reuters, and JNA magazine. She has worked in the wine industry since 2015, first with American wine … Continue reading “Natalie Wang”
Read More
Ron Washam
Founder, The Hosemaster of Wine
At a tender age, Ron turned away from a career as a comedy writer to become a sommelier. One could say he prefers spitting to gagging. He served nineteen years as a sommelier in Los Angeles, and was twice named Sommelier of the Year by the California Restaurant Writers Association, primarily because he was unbeatable … Continue reading “Ron Washam”
Read More
Molly Watson
Editor in Chief, Edible Communities
Molly Watson is the editor-in-chief of Edible Communities, a network of websites, podcasts, and more than 80 magazines dedicated to telling the stories of local, sustainable food systems across the US and Canada. She has a long list of publishing credits, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Elle, Sunset … Continue reading “Molly Watson”
Read More
Beth Weber Novak
President & CEO, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
In 1987, Beth Weber Novak joined her mother, Mary Novak, becoming the first second-generation family member to become actively involved in guiding Spottswoode EstateVineyard &Winery.In the almost four decades since,Beth has played a key role in establishing Spottswoode as one of the world’s most highly regarded wine growing sites, and as one of NapaValley’s most … Continue reading “Beth Weber Novak”
Read More
Dr. Hoby Wedler
Ph.D. Chemist and Entrepreneur
Dr. Hoby Wedler is an insightful, disarming, and passionate thinker who loves to bring people together to help them see new possibilities. With the heart of a teacher, Hoby helps turn your dreams into realities. Hoby has been completely blind since birth. He is a scientist, an entrepreneur, a sensory expert, and is driven by … Continue reading “Dr. Hoby Wedler”
Read More
Aaron Wehner
Publisher of Ten Speed Press, a California-based imprint of Crown/Random House. WWS Speaker 2012
Aaron Wehner is vice president and publisher of Ten Speed Press, a Berkeley, California-based imprint of Crown/Random House. During his 15-year tenure at Ten Speed, Aaron has worked with most of the house’s top authors, including Grant Achatz, Mollie Katzen, David Lebovitz, Peter Reinhart, Heidi Swanson, Rajat Parr, and Charlie Trotter. His acquisitions range across … Continue reading “Aaron Wehner”
Read More
Kelli A. White
Director of Education, The Wine Center at Meadowood | @KelliWhiteWine
Kelli A. White is the Director of Education at The Wine Center, a private wine education service for members of The Napa Valley Reserve and guests and members of Meadowood Napa Valley. She worked as a sommelier for nearly a decade between New York City and Napa Valley; in 2013, Food & Wine magazine named … Continue reading “Kelli A. White”
Read More
David White
Founder, Terroirist.com
David White, a wine writer in Washington D.C., is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com. The author of a nationally syndicated wine column that’s hosted by Palate Press, David’s wine writing has appeared in dozens of publications, including The World of Fine Wine, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. … Continue reading “David White”
Read More
Stephanie Wilson
Editorial director for Haute Living magazine. WWS Speaker 2010
Stephanie Wilson is the editorial director for Haute Living magazine, a luxury lifestyle publication with regional editions in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Prior to this position, she served as the regional editor for fine dining publication DiningOut Miami.
Read More
Amy Wislocki
Magazine Editor, Decanter
Amy Wislocki joined Decanter in October 2000 as magazine editor, aged 28, and has spent the past two decades happily immersed in the world of wine and wine magazine publishing. Her remit also includes commissioning and writing copy for Decanter’s online channels, Decanter.com and Decanter Premium (paywall site), as part of a team of regional … Continue reading “Amy Wislocki”
Read More
Molly Wizenberg
Writes the monthly column "Cooking Life" in Bon Appetit, magazine. WWS Speaker 2010
Molly Wizenberg writes the monthly column “Cooking Life” in Bon Appetit, magazine, and her first book, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, was a New York Times bestseller. She is the voice behind Orangette (www.orangette.net), named the best food blog in the world by the London Times. Her work has also been published in Town and Country and on NPR.org, … Continue reading “Molly Wizenberg”
Read More
Guy Woodward
Editor of London-based Decanter magazine. WWS Speaker 2012
Guy Woodward is the editor of London-based Decanter magazine, where he has worked for nine years. He joined the magazine from a journalistic background, notably in business-to-business journalism, and also as a sub-editor on national newspapers. During his time at Decanter, the magazine has expanded to encompass overseas editions, education and the world’s biggest global wine competition, … Continue reading “Guy Woodward”
Read More
Stephen Yafa
Editor of Apple-Nomad's iPad weekly, Uncorked. WWS Speaker 2012
Stephen Yafa, the editor of Apple-Nomad’s iPad weekly, Uncorked, considers himself a lucky man. He gets to entertain and inform wine buffs in a multi-media digital wine magazine venue, the first of its kind. He also gets to make Russian River Pinot Noir for his own label, Segue Cellars. The author of Big Cotton (Viking), and a screenwriter … Continue reading “Stephen Yafa”
Read More
Alder Yarrow
Founder & Editor, Vinography.Com| @vinography
Once a pioneering wine blogger, now a well-known wine writer and critic, Alder Yarrow has been writing about wine since 2004 and continues to publish regularly at his site Vinography.com. For the past 14 years, he has been a columnist and critic for Jancis Robinson’s, covering American wines on her website. He contributed to the … Continue reading “Alder Yarrow”
Read More
Kevin Zraly
Author & Educator, Windows on the World Wine School
Internationally acclaimed wine educator and best-selling author Kevin Zraly has been described as a naturally gifted speaker who is both refreshingly humble and candid. His passion for wine and food and his engaging teaching style helps demystify the ever-changing world of wine. He began his career at age 19 as a waiter and bartender in … Continue reading “Kevin Zraly”
Read More
