A co-founder of Bâtonnage Forum, Sarah is a wine writer and educator at The Learning Center at Meadowood as the Associate Director of Wine Education. She recently moved to Napa in 2020 after over a decade split between New York and Europe, working first in publishing at Condé Nast and SAVEUR magazine, and then later at Sotheby’s, before striking out on her own. She spent several years as an international marketing consultant and educator, working with top estates across Europe.

She has been a contributor to Food & Wine, The Sommelier Journal, Departures, SAVEUR, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, and other publications. She holds the highest-level recognition from the internationally renowned Wines & Spirits Education Trust, Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits, and is a Master of Wine candidate. You can follow her on Instagram at @sarah.h.bray.

Anitha Gandhi is a theatrically-trained actress turned wine professional, working in NYC and always looking to travel abroad to wine countries. As a top Sales Rep for David Bowler Wine, Anitha offers her insights and perspective as a mentor for anyone looking to start fresh in this industry, especially in sales, and to be candid about all of the challenges that await, from opening and managing accounts to education to managing your own bottom line.

As an under-represented member of the wine community (South Asian women), she wants to be a part of changing the landscape of our world of wine and reach a broader audience - one that looks more like her. Interests include helping lift up the voices of BIPOC folx, and not just the ones you see, but the ones in the vineyards who support all of us in the background. You can follow her on Instagram at @happybellyhappylife.

Additional IAF: Retail

A New York City native, Giuseppe grew up in Italy where he graduated in Economics and Business Administration. Giuseppe moved back to New York in 2002 and in 2010 received his MBA from Fordham Graduate School of Business. Until August 2016, Giuseppe was the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, the Italian Wine Imports Division of The Winebow Group. In January 2017, Giuseppe founded his own Consulting Company and Import Agency, based in NYC. As an Agent, Giuseppe serves 12 US Markets with a selection of high-quality Italian wineries. In April 2017, Giuseppe became one of the few US-based Italian Wine Ambassador for the Vinitaly International Academy program. You can follow him on Instagram at @glocascio.

Additional IAF: Retail

Kelly Mitchell is a wine sales person, consultant, and educator. A sales representative for Skurnik Wines & Spirits, an importer and distributor of fine wine, spirits, sake, and glassware, she is responsible for sharing a world class portfolio of wine with restaurateurs and wine retailers. In addition to her work as a sales rep, she founded her consulting company in 2016, Kelly Mitchell Wine, to focus on the wine needs of consumers, working in various capacities as a wine educator on a variety of consumer driven wine topics, as a guest sommelier for wine tastings and events, and as a private consultant for wine enthusiasts and collectors. Her most recent endeavor is the launch of Kelly Selects in April 2020, an e-commerce boutique in partnership with online wine retailer, Wired for Wine, where she shares her favorite wines and makes them available for consumer purchase. She was recently named a “Rising Black Voice in Wine” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, appearing on its October 2020 cover. You can follow her on Instagram at @kellymitchellwine.

Martina got her BA in Anthropology, German and Italian from Notre Dame before studying Applied Linguistics/TESL at USF. She taught ESL as an adjunct professor at universities for a few years before moving to Italy to help Andy Steves build weekend travel adventures for abroad students in Venice and Rome. Upon returning to the US, Martina moved to Chicago and began working for Select Italy, where she wrote many pieces for their blog and newsletter while traveling around Italy. In 2015, Martina moved to New York City for a a job in PR/Communications, heading up the Emilio Moro and Ferrari Trento campaigns in the US. Shortly thereafter, Martina was recruited into sales to work for Ste Michelle Wine Estates as the Antinori Specialist of New York. Martina was then recruited by Massanois to manage their Italian portfolio, which she still does as well as manages national accounts such as Whole Foods and sales to 14 distributors. You can follow her on Instagram at @martimm85.

Michelle DeFeo’s extensive experience in the wine and spirits business spans every tier of the marketplace, from retailer to wholesaler to winery. In her current role as President of Laurent-Perrier US, Michelle is responsible for growing the brand’s business, managing the sales team and national distribution network, and raising the awareness of Laurent-Perrier's Champagnes among trade and consumers. Her core strengths are in sales and marketing, and over the last 9+ years in her current role she’s developed her finance and management skills as well. Michelle holds the WSET Level 3 credential and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. A graduate of Rutgers University, she also holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University. You can follow her on Instagram at @mdloveslp.

Monica Samuels has tirelessly worked to grow the sake category in the US for over 10 years. She works in managing international supplier relations for a growing import company, developing a sales strategy throughout the 50 states of the US and several provinces of Canada, being an extremely active educator, judging sake competitions around the world, and growing sales in her company at double digit rates year after year. Monica has become one of the country's most recognized sake professionals. You can follow her on Instagram at @msamuels1212.

Based in Houston, Natalie Vaclavik has extensive experience in distribution and sales. She started her career as a Sales Rep for Glazers Domaines & Estates Wine where she was a top performer specializing in high-end wine sales for the top accounts in Houston. Over a decade ago, she became the Regional Sales Director for Evening Lands Vineyards and then became the first sales manager for Terroir Selections representing Qupe, Leviathan, Mayacamas, Sandhi, and Mulderbosch. From there she created a successful distribution company Victory Wine Group, built from relationships first on both producer and customer ends. She currently serves as National Sales Director for Jonata and Hilt Estate. You can follow her on Instagram at @purplecowgrl.

A creative, strategic marketer with 28 years demonstrated experience in the wine and culinary industry, Rebecca Hopkins has worked in communication for major companies including Constellation Brands, Accolade Wines, and today serves as Vice President, Communications for Folio Fine Wine Partners. Her focus has specifically been in development and execution of strategic wine brand communication platforms, partnership marketing activities, and marketing event activation. Rebecca is also the Founder of A Balanced Glass, a global online community forum to help wine and alcohol professionals manage their health and wellness. You can follow her on Instagram at @beckhopkinswine.

Ryan Looper is a NYC beverage industry veteran and salesperson that has been selling wine and spirits in the city since 2007. With $35+ million in sales to both top-tier retail and restaurants and extensive travel to wine regions all over the world, Looper is in a unique position to offer a streetwise insider viewpoint on the NYC beverage market, arguably the most competitive and industry trend-setting market in the world. A frequent guest on wine podcasts, Looper has been featured on I’ll drink to that, In the Drink, Disgorgeous, Drinking on the Job and has been quoted on SevenfiftyDaily and Eater. You can follow him on Instagram at @iamlooper.

Additional IAF: Hospitality

Santosh Varghese currently wears two hats – Marketing Manager at VINTUS (a national import company) and Director of Client Relations at Fida (the direct-to-consumer arm of the import business). On the import side, he develops key business and sales strategies and communicates these pillars to the national sales team. On the DTC side, Santosh was instrumental in the design, development, and launch of Fida. Prior to joining VINTUS, Santosh started as an intern at Zachys Wine Auctions, was promoted to Wine Specialist within 3 months, and promoted again the following year to Marketing and Public Relations Manager. You can follow him on Instagram at @santoshvarghese84.

Erin Drain has engaged with her love of food, wine, and travel since her time as an undergraduate at The University of Chicago, where she studied anthropology, Iberian linguistics, and food culture. Finding a way to turn those passions into a paycheck led her to seek a part-time job in an independent wine shop back in 2007, where she quickly became the manager and wine buyer, thus kicking off a lifelong wine career which has also included freelance writing, education roles, and sales. She now proudly works as Head of Marketing for Olé & Obrigado, an award-winning US importer of artisanal Spanish and Portuguese wines. She is completing the Spanish Wine Scholar Program, is a Certified Sake Professional, and a Cicerone Certified Beer Server. She lives in Chicago, where in her free time she serves on the board of two nonprofits and spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

You can follow her on Instagram at @erindrain.