This short post is just to say Happy New Year/Buon Anno. I hope it’s a healthy and happy one for all. I’ve had a very challenging final month to 2025 and I am happy to leave last year behind and step into this new one. Reflecting on the year, here are some highlights from 2025 in my wine journey included:

Writing/Multi-Media:

1. Starting a substack with Katarina Andersson called All That Wine. We held a soft launch three months ago which thus far has consisted of a number of live chats with producers and a couple of articles but this year we have big plans to grow our community.

Brand Ambassador:

1. I represented Cantina di Bolzano at a number of events online, showcasing the marvelous wines from this cooperative in Alto Adige. I was excited to introduce people both to this specific winery, the graper Kerner that many had not had, and the concept and importance of cooperatives in the Italian Wine Industy.
2. I also represented the Consortium Garda DOC at some online events which was exciting both because the wines and the area are so dear to my heart and also because I was able to showcase 10 denominations that are part of the Garda DOC umbrella, many of which I have worked with in the past such as Lugana. Garda DOC enables producers to expand their offerings. This dynamic consortium has also just launched their first low alcohol wine classification, which underscores how innovative and on-point they are in terms of Italian consortium.
3. I was invited this year to represent a producer close to my heart, the Conte Guicciardini family, at an event that they hosted with an Italian University, the American University in Florence, at the James Beard House.

Teaching:

1. I led a class at the New York City College of Technology -City Tech (CUNY) in the Fall on Italian wines from college students. I loved the experience of introducing college students to an array of Italian wines. I was so impressed with their ability to grasp so much in a short span of time. It also made me review/reassess and acknowledge where Gen Z consumers/buyers are today. I hope the class under the Hospitality Program will continue in the New Year.
2. I participated in a series of events at the Italian Trade Commission pairing Italian wines from all 20 regions with dishes. The events which took place earlier in the year were part of a ITA TABLE TALKS series run by Andrew Cotto of Appetito Magazine.

Study:

1. I leaned in this year to the Master of Burgundy program I signed up for at the Wine Scholar Guild a number of years ago but have not yet completed. Like their other programs it is very detailed and precise with a wealth of knowledge to be gained. I found it thrilling to be back in the student role. Hopefully in 2026 I will achieve this 11th certification.

I look forward to 2026 being a year of writing, brand ambassadorship, teaching, studying, and podcasting again. I will also be starting my own substack this week. This is the 18th year I have been writing on this blog and by my stats, its been the best year in a while which was a surprise. Thanks for sticking with me.