I am a Master of Wine, journalist, speaker and critic who lives between New York City's DUMBO and the vineyards of the world (primarily those of Europe). I was the 7th woman in the US to earn the MW title. I received the Villa Maria Award for Outstanding Performance in the Viticulture Examination. Not bad for a city girl! In 2014, the Roederer Awards short-listed me for the Online Wine Communicator of the Year Award. My articles have been published in Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, Edible Green Mountains, Wine Searcher, Food Arts, FICOFI, Jackson Family Wines, TimAtkin.com, Sommelier Journal, Snooth, Beverage Media, Sommelier, SOMM Journal, Civiltà del Bere, Wine Business Monthly, TASTED, The Tasting Panel, Selectus Wines, Wine.Luxe and in many other outlets. I am the Consulting Editor of the GOURMAND AWARD-winning book, Rock and Vine, the Wine Editor for Sunday Pasta and Garrubbo Guide: The Importance of Eating Italian, and the Italy Editor for the Professional Wine Reference. A public speaker, my recent and upcoming appearances include Wine Masters TV Classes and Documentaries, Wine Empowerment, Chief Wine Officer, ProWein, VinExpo, ViniSud, the Digital Wine Communication Conference, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium, TEXSOM, Napa Valley Wine Academy and the International Wine Show Prague, among others. I critique and judge wines around the world. I am a Panel Chair at the International Wine Challenge. I have led or judged with panels at Decanter World Wine Awards, Ultimate Wine Challenge, Argentina World Wine Awards, TEXSOM International Wine Awards, Vinul.ro Premiile de Excelenta, Istanbul Masters of Wine Weekend and the Balkans International Wine Competition, among others. I also enjoy teaching consumers at venues like Grace Farms, Astor Center, Brooklyn Winery and San Francisco Wine Center, as well as in private forums. Embarking upon my vinous career after a tour in finance that began in Dallas and ended in New York by way of Paris, I have enjoyed many demanding positions in the wine industry. My financial background earned me - in part - positions as the National Wine Director for Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and the Corporate Beverage Director for Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, where I opened and managed the beverage components of restaurants from Istanbul and Doha to Vancouver and Bora Bora. Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery commissioned me to create the novel, screw-cap-only wine list for his Co. pizza concept, and I have revamped wine lists at prestigious addresses like the former Gordon Ramsay at The London and Ilili. I've also directed wine purchasing at New York's Italian Wine Merchants and Zachys.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Communication

Industry sector(s): Events, On trade, Buying, Journalism, Author, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge

Wine styles: Fine and rare wines, Sparkling wine, Champagne, Prosecco, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: USA, France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Italy, California, Washington, Oregon

Market expertise: Europe, North America, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Independent retail, Food and wine pairing, Restaurant wines, Wine judging