Ashley came into the wine industry in 2008 while completing her Masters in English and American Literature at New York University. In 2009, she moved to Denver and managed a retail shop, experienced restaurant service with Frasca Food and Wine, and was the chief salesperson for the front range for two distribution companies. Currently, Ashley is the Director of Education for GuildSomm. She conducts many private and public events through her own education/consulting business - Mistral Wine Co., which she formed in 2014. Former and present clients include Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Alliance Francaise, The Italian Institute and Liv Sotheby's International. In 2016, Ashley was awarded the Commanderie de Bordeaux aux Etats Unis Scholarship for outstanding performance by a North American student in the MW Study Programme. She also works closely with the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board to promote the state's emerging region. When she is not teaching, selling or drinking wine, she can be found reading, writing, running, cooking or obsessing over her dog.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Marketing, Sales, Distribution, Business owner, Agency/Importer, Off trade, On trade, Journalism, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge

Wine styles: Natural, Champagne, Still wines

Wine region expertise: France, Spain, Italy, California, Oregon

Market expertise: North America

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Importation, Distribution, Independent retail, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Wine and health, Wine labels, Wine tourism, Branding, History of wine