Born and raised in Oakland, CA, just an hour away from the world-renowned wine region of Napa Valley, I developed my passion for the world of Wine. Coming from an Italian Family (Sicilian) where Wine and food have been at the heart of all family gatherings, my fascination with the world of Wine began young. Now you might ask yourself how in the hell did a kid get interested in the wine industry? That is an excellent question that genuinely starts with my Grandfather. A chemist by trade, my Grandfather, has a love and passion for Wine. Through his hard work, he was able to turn his passion into a reality. Bringing his love of Wine to his backyard, he planted just under an acre in the Palo Alto Hills. Thus it all began!
Growing up every year, I got the opportunity to do "mini" harvests with my family! Now I say "mini" because though it was labor-intensive work, we were able to get it done in one day. Of course, my grandparents would then have a huge pizza party to celebrate the completion of the harvest. Over the years, I interacted with so many different people from diverse backgrounds, making memorable moments. Fast forward a few years, and I am now beginning to apply to colleges. As I'm sure every senior in high school is thinking, "what in the hell am I going to spend the next four years studying and ultimately doing with my life." Decisions, decisions... Unlike most, I knew what industry I could see myself happy.
As I remembered the fantastic times and unique people I met growing up making Wine with my family, I thought, how does one major in Wine? Though not as popular as Business, Engineering, Psychology, or Communications, there are degrees in Wine. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (GO MUSTANGS!), has a renowned Wine and Viticulture program. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Wine and Viticulture with a concentration in Wine Business. Man, that's a mouthful! Once I turned 21, I started working in a tasting room in Paso Robles on the weekends to make extra money while attending school. As soon as I graduated, I moved back to the Bay Area and started working for an Alcohol Distribution Company in sales. I learned early on in that role that sales was not really for me. I definitely learned a lot and have great respect for sales. I knew my passion was more on the marketing side of the business, building brand equity. My intro to Wine's marketing side was as a Marketing Coordinator and have since moved to the next role as an Associate Brand Manager. Eventually, I want to continue along this path to Brand Manager, Senior Brand Manager, VP of Marketing, CMO, or even CEO! The skies have no limit, and neither should you!
I'm someone who believes you should never stop learning or growing and thus have continued my education both academically and within the Wine industry. Academically, I'm currently in pursuit of my MBA from Saint Mary's College of California with a concentration in Marketing. In regards to my industry education, I have my WSET's (currently a Level 2). WSET stands for Wine & Spirit Education Trust, in case you were curious. It's a global organization that arranges courses and exams in the field of Wine and Spirits. Plus, I've entered the Court of Master Sommelier, working to become a Certified Sommelier. While I was in college, I was fortunate to study abroad at the University of Adelaide in Australia. While I was overseas, I got to dive into New World Wine techniques and wine styles. I've also been fortunate enough to travel and taste through wines in the world-renowned regions of France. My travels took me through Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where I got to dive into Old World Wine techniques and wine styles.
That's me in a nutshell!
What am I doing here? I want to share my passion for this unique industry! I fear that there is still this stigma of elitism, snootiness, or the unapproachability of Wine. People think you have to be super knowledgeable or an expert. I want to remove that stigma and show how approachable and fun Wine can be. Join me on my adventures as I taste Wine, experience different vineyards, and give tips and tricks to enhance your wine experiences at home!
Cheers!
Lauren
Love hearing about your continuing education and your ambitions! Can’t wait to explore wine with you through this blog!