ABOUT EMILY

My wine career began in 2004, at a wine museum in London Bridge called Vinopolis. A fabulous, fun place to start in wine, full of plastic busts of ancient greek physicians bellowing out the benefits of a glass of wine. I can still hear Hippocrates now…

It was at Vinopolis that I began as a student on the WSET wine program, a series of courses appropriate for all lovers of wine, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. I found the course such a joy that I hoped one day I might teach it myself. In 2010 I passed my WSET Diploma (Level 4) and in 2014 I took my teachers certificate with WSET to enable me to become an Approved Programme Provider teaching Levels 1, 2 and 3 WSET.

Later that same year, after ten years of working in the London wine trade - as a Head Sommelier and Wine Buyer at The River Cafe, as a writer specialising in Italian wines for Decanter, the international wine magazine. and various national publications. running a sell out, nationally and internationally acclaimed wine focused pop up restaurant “Whizzbangpop”, starting a series of mini wine festivals called The Wine Sessions and along the way taking the fabulous staff at The River Cafe through their WSET Levels 2 and 3, I finally left London in 2014 to see for myself if life in Italy was as good as it looked to me to be, from the stories I’d heard, the dishes I’d served, and the wines I poured.

La vita really IS sweet here. I am now based in Greve in Chianti after a 5 year stint in Siena, a 2 year love story in Florence and 1 year lost to that enchanted Monte Amiata.

In 2016 I began teaching the WSET courses in Tuscany. Initially as part of a wine ‘retreat’ combining all the things essential for a good holiday, a beautiful place to stay, a top chef cooking, the option of some exercise (even if just to contemplate and then enjoy declining!) the possibility of some decent sight seeing, and most important - excellent wines to learn about, taste and drink, in the company of other like minded souls.

I have since gone solo - I just teach wine, this is enough, though I love when collaborations occur and chefs and yogis are involved. WSET courses are perfect for those who might like to combine a short break with some wine studies, or those who need the WSET qualifications for their careers.