Tell us a bit about yourself. Why are you a wine geek?
I was graduating with my B.S. in Economics from Cal Poly SLO, completely unmotivated by my career options, and then I got a part-time job at a winery in Paso Robles. It was the first time in my life that I wanted to learn everything I could about a subject. I continued working on the Central Coast for three more years and all I ever want to do is learn about wine and share what I've learned with others.
Extraterrestrials just landed on earth. What wine do you pour them?
Cigare Volant. Why else did he make that wine?
What's your favorite scent you have ever smelled in a wine?
Lemon Chiffon Cream Cheese with Chamomile - aka white grand cru burgundy
Any favorite music or podcasts you like to listen to while you drink wine?
If I'm drinking wine to study, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Beyonce come to mind.
If I'm just chilling out, Halsey, Selena Gomez's Rare album, and Kehlani.
If you could visit any wine region in the world right now what would it be any why?
Austria. I would be the brand ambassador for Austrian Wine Marketing Board tomorrow if I could. I love that country; I love every piece of it, for its diversity of wine styles despite being such a small region and also just the downright deliciousness. I want the world to know about Austrian wine! Rudi Pichler Weissburgunder and Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc are two of the best wines I've ever had.
What do you think is the most exciting thing going in the world of wine right now?
Although not exciting in the most conventional sense, but the movement of sommeliers and wine professionals coming forward denouncing racism, sexism, and hateful behavior associated with the Court of Master Sommeliers (and industry as a whole). This industry is going through some changes and I'm so here for it.
What would you like to see in the future of wine?
I want to democratize wine knowledge. I want to see more accessibility; I want a cloud network of information we all have access to - no membership fees, no gatekeeping. Just honest conversations where we can vent and learn from each other. I hope that is the future of wine.
What advice would you give yourself looking back to when you first started working in the wine industry?
I would want to remind my younger self to never lose that sense of wonder (yes quoting Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack). I would tell myself to never settle for something that went against my values; that this industry has a reputation for putting young women down, and that being strong and stubborn are two traits I hope to always have.
Who are some people that inspire you in the world of wine?
Alpana Singh, MS; had the pleasure of interviewing her on Way We Wine's Instagram and she just is the epitome of inspiration in so many ways. And Dan Petroski of Massican wines (who I also interviewed on the WWW's IG); he is so kind, generous, and works incredibly hard to make this industry a better place. I've been very fortunate with regards to my professional contacts, but I am incredibly thankful that they are both in my life.
Anything in the works you'd like to mention or promote?
Yes, two actually. My co-founder Naomi Linnell and I have working on two websites this past summer. We launched The Way We Wine (waywewine.com) in June 2020 to allow people to communicate with one another in a free, open forum-based setting. It is designed for anyone in the industry and I encourage everyone to go on there (especially if you have knowledge about certain subjects), and donate your brain to the greater good.
And a new site to be launched at the end of November 2020 called wikiwine.info. Divest your money from GuildSomm => this will be a free study guide and wine resource site for all regions. We are very very excited about it!
Thank you Megan!