A native New Yorker, Melissa obtained a degree in English literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Post-grad, she moved to Italy, where she caught the food and wine bug. Law school landed Melissa back in New York, where she enrolled in WSET Diploma classes, ate, and drank well whenever possible. Melissa’s first introduction to the wine business was practising law with a firm specialised in alcohol beverage regulation. In 2009, she started Communal Brands, a wine producer importer, distributor and innovator of eco-conscious wines that sell themselves. Expanding on a commitment to sustainability, she recently started up Wine Queen, a vehicle for challenging the status quo for wine packaging waste. When she is not being a mum of two or working, you will find her running long distances. Despite a demanding schedule, she always finds time for good Champagne.

Current employer: Communal Brands, Wine Queen

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Distribution

Specialisms: Branding, Distribution, Wine labels