Heidi is Portfolio Manager and Partner of a Finnish wine importing company Viinitie. 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 was President of the Finnish Sommelier Association for 4 years and since 2021 has been a member of ASI Sommeliers Contests Committee. In addition to her daily job, Heidi teaches WSET at all levels in several countries, judges in various international wine, wine list and sommelier competitions, offers consultation to restaurants and other wine businesses, and gives presentations on wine around the world. She is an inspiring speaker often asked to lead masterclasses and motivate especially younger sommeliers and wine students.

Current employer: Viinitie

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Communication

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

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

Wine region expertise: Australia, Austria, Germany, Greece, Mosel, Rheingau, South Australia, Victoria, France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rioja, Galicia, Penedes, Spain, Piedmont, California, Albariño

Market expertise: Europe, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Finland

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