Welcome to Episode 2207 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode Barbara Fitzgerald interviews the acclaimed wine journalist, educator and author Deborah Parker Wong.

In this episode, they discuss Deborah’s extensive experience as a globally renowned wine educator and guide editor, exploring how her expertise has sharpened her insights into consumer preferences, emerging trends, and her role in shaping the future of the wine industry.

More about the guest: Deborah Parker Wong

Recognized by Wine Business Monthly as a 2023 Wine Industry Leader, Deborah Parker Wong, DipWSET, is the Global Wine Editor for The SOMM Journal and a contributor to The Tasting Panel magazine. She has been writing about the beverage alcohol industry for these and other outlets since 2004. In 2020, she was appointed National Editor, USA, for the Slow Wine Guide, now in its seventh edition.

Deborah teaches as an associate instructor at San Jose State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Cabrillo College, and owns a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) school, offering Level 2 and Level 3 certifications. In addition to writing and speaking about wine, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology at California State University, Fresno, with an emphasis in sensory science.

Her motto is: "To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach."

A partial archive of her published work can be found at: www.deborahparkerwong.com.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahparkerwong/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahparkerwongdwset 

www.facebook.com/deborah.parker.wong 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahparkerwong/ 

More about the host: Barbara Fitzgerald

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilabottiglia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com

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Until next time, Cin Cin!