FLXCURSION 2026

For close to two decades, I’ve been dedicated to wine education, with a career focused on teaching, mentoring, and advancing professional wine knowledge across the industry. As President of In the Grape for the past 16 years, my work has centered on delivering high-level, relevant wine education to trade audiences at every stage of their careers. Education is at the core of everything I do. My goal is to make wine knowledge clear, engaging, and immediately useful by breaking down complex subjects and presenting them in an approachable, practical way. I’ve taught thousands of industry professionals through structured certification programs, seminars, masterclasses and conference presentations, always tailoring content to the needs and experience level of my audience. I’m a long-time instructor at the International Wine Center, where I teach WSET Levels 2, Levels 3 and 4. I also teach for the Sommelier Society of America. In addition, I’ve served as an adjunct professor at City Tech (CUNY) and Schiller International University. I’ve spoken at leading industry conferences including Vinexpo, New York Wine Expo, the Society of Wine Educators Annual Conference, and the French Wine Society Annual Conference and Tales of the Cocktails. I’m known for my ability to contextualize complex wine theory within real-world trade and market dynamics, helping students move beyond memorization to true understanding. My work is grounded in rigorous certification including the WSET Level 4 Diploma as well as being a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators. I also hold numerous additional regional certifications.