In summer 2022, I paused my previous career and started to learn about wine. I was driven by desire to start afresh, to feel alive, and to be open to new experiences, discoveries, and friendships. In fall 2022, I got my first job in wine industry. A year later I already had an indescribable respect for winemakers and vineyard managers, passed the WSET Level 3 certification exam, and realized that wine industry was my happy place and wine people were my people.

Now I am wearing several wine related hats (tasting room manager with ZXQ Vineyards and Winery, sales representative with Golden State Wine and Stay Classy Selections) and I am still looking for the path within the industry that would benefit me as an individual and the wine community the most.

Future goal – to be able to share my success story with industry rookies one day, and to add another hat to the collection of the hats I am already wearing – the one of a supportive and inspiring mentor – and wear it proudly, with my head higher than ever.