Cristina is the first woman based in Italy to become a Master of Wine. She is an acclaimed wine educator and presenter. She is the Founder and CEO of Mercuri Wine Club, a consultancy company and innovative wine academy. With Mercuri Wine Club she delivers wine education and consultancy in wine communication, brand building and marketing for the most prestigious wine brands in Italy. She is a presenter for masterclasses and speaker for the most important wine events in Italy and abroad, international judge, consultant for private and promotional events, and a regular contributor for Forbes.

Cristina worked as a lawyer in international law firms. In 2015 she gave up her career to pursue her passion in wine. She received her WSET Diploma in 2017 and enrolled in the IMW in 2018/19. During 2019-22 she became Certified Sherry Educator, Cava Educator, Port Educator, as well as Italian VDP Ambassador.

She teaches students at all stages, from beginners to WSET Diploma candidates, as well as oenology students. As an educator with a solid sales and marketing focus, Cristina delivers tailor-made staff training specialising in sales strategies and marketing tools. Her clients range from wine consortia, wineries, distributors, and restaurants, as well as luxury companies that engage her for innovative team building activities.

In addition to her educational and entrepreneurial ventures, Cristina is a content creator on Instagram (@cristinamercuri_wine) among the most-followed wine personalities in Italy. Her page offers educational and informative content.

Cristina speaks Italian and English. When not travelling, she loves relaxing with her cat Ludovica, or swimming in the Tuscan Sea.

Current employer: Mercuri Wine Club

Primary area(s) of work: Strategy, Communication

Industry sector(s): Events, Marketing, PR, Business owner, Journalism, Author, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge, Academic

Wine styles: Champagne, Prosecco, Fortified wines, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines, Dry wines

Wine region expertise: Abruzzo, Marche, Champagne, Italy, Piedmont, Veneto/Friuli, Tuscany, Sicily, Alto Adige, Campania

Market expertise: Italy

Specialisms: Sustainability, Vine varieties, Development of new vine varieties, Biodynamics, Organic viticulture, Regenerative, Fermentation, Production of sparkling wines, Production of fortified wines, Whole cluster fermentation, Marketing wine, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Routes to market, Direct to consumer, Supermarket and multiple retail, Wine and health, Wine labels, Airlines, Education, Events, PR, Wine judging