Heidi is Portfolio Manager and Partner of a Finnish wine importing company Viinitie. After gaining her Bachelor of Arts with theatre and drama research as her major, she followed her bigger passion to work in hospitality and with wine. Before her current job she worked for 12 years on the restaurant floor, both in Finland and the UK. She became the Best Sommelier of Finland and the second in Chaîne des Rôtisseur’s Jeunes Sommeliers of the World in 2015, and the eight Best Sommelier of the World in 2016. She was selected as one of The Future 50 by WSET and IWSC in 2019. She is also currently the President of the Finnish Sommelier Association and a member of ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee. In addition to her daily job, Heidi teaches WSET at all levels, judges in various international wine competitions, offers consultation, and gives presentations on wine both in Finland and around the world.

Current employer: Viinitie

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Communication

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Buying, Consultant, Distribution, Educator, Events, Import/Export, International trade, Market access, Off trade, On trade, Project management, Wine buying, Wine judge

Wine styles: Albariño, Cava, Champagne, Cremant, Dry wines, Fine and rare wines, Fortified wines, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still white, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Albariño, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Champagne, France, Galicia, Germany, Greece, Penedes, Piedmont, Spain

Market expertise: Europe, Finland, Scandinavia, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Distribution, Education, Events, Food and wine pairing, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Importation, Events, Podcasts, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Training, Wine judging