Meet WSA Alum, Brooke Parker

WSA Grad: Brooke Parker
WSET Intermediate Certificate Spring, 2011
Position: Tasting Room Associate, Dobbes Family Estate

While working full-time in the IT industry, Brooke was looking for a way to deepen her knowledge of wine. After testing the waters with a couple of WSA classes, Brooke signed up for the WSET Intermediate Certificate course in the Spring of 2011. The knowledge she gained there, along with the tremendous enthusiasm it fostered, helped her land a seasonal job in the tasting room at Dobbes Family Estate in Dundee. The preparation she received in the IC course allowed her to "hit the ground running." While Brooke is not quite ready to leave her IT job, she plans to use her new-found knowledge to "help change the wine world, one person at a time, and to focus on the fun, beauty, and deliciousness that is the real reason we pop the cork!"

Meet WSA Alum, Deb Stilwell

WSA Grad: Deborah Stilwell
WSET Intermediate Certificate, 2007 and Advanced Certificate, Summer 2008
Position: Weekend Lead and Wine Educator, DeLille Cellars Carriage House

It was a lack of basic information and training available at previous winery jobs that led Deb Stilwell to seek out the WSET program. Deb began her studies for the Intermediate Certificate program independently and exclaims, “It was the first time in my life I came across a subject where I realized how much there was to know and that I had SO much to learn. I didn't find this depressing but rather, exciting.” After sitting the IC exam with the WSA in Portland, she dove right into the Advanced Certificate program in a Seattle class. Deb now conducts wine education classes both in her position as the Weekend Lead and Wine Educator at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, WA, and while conducting staff training for the new Wines of Washington tasting room in Snohomish, WA. She has also taught a Wine Basics class at the Seattle branch of Le Cordon Bleu and plans to continue teaching there. Deb is a real testament to the power of a WSET education!

WSA Alumni on the Move

Congratulations to WSA alums who have either been recently promoted or have moved on to bigger and better things. 

Down in wine country, you'll find WSET Advanced Graduates Morgan Ennis and Mich Nelson in new tasting room positions.  Morgan recently left her position at Cork - A Bottle Shop to become Tasting Room Manager at Daedalus Cellars and Mich recently left Stoller Vineyards to join the Erath Winery team as Guest Services Supervisor.  Mich reports that her new position is "the perfect fit."

Further south in the Eugene area, WSET Advanced Graduate Lorne Mews is still at Benton-Lane Winery but has been promoted from National Sales Manager to Vice President. Congratulations Lorne!

For those of you still dining out in this depressed economy (and for the sake of our restaurant-based alums, we urge you to!), visit WSET Advanced student Lisa Marcus at Le Pigeon and WSET Advanced Graduate Amy Rehagen at Toro Bravo.  An easy assignment given that these are two of our favorite Portland restaurants.

Braiden Rex-Johnson, WSET Intermediate student also has news.  In addition to her other writing projects, Braiden is now a regular contributor to the Seattle Times Pacific Northwest "Taste" Column and is a monthly contributor to Amazon.com's Al Dente Blog.  And WSET Intermediate Graduate Laura Brady, president of Lux Wines, just announced a new wine sales website, including a bridal registry.  Check out Laura's new site here.

Want to know more about what WSA grads are up to?  Visit our graduates page.  

WSA Alumni on the Move

A quick congratulations to several WSA alums who recently stepped into new positions:

After several years at Soter Vineyards, Chris Poulos (AC 2007) was asked by North Berkeley Imports to come aboard as a sales representative covering the Pacific Northwest, midwest, and parts Northern California.  A huge territory to be sure, which means that Chris finds himself traveling quite a bit.  Chris says he loves the exposure to North Berkeley's stellar collection and the opportunity to introduce buyers to new wines.  Chris is also currently working towards his WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits (DWS).  Good luck, Chris!

Current student Linda Conklin was recently promoted to Hospitality Manager at Columbia Winery.  In her new position, Linda coordinates all VIP visits and is also responsible for the winery's tasting room education program.  Linda says she the new position keeps her busy and requires significant traveling, but that she is enjoying the new challenges.  

Ryan Wilson (AC 2007) recently made a move from Bacchus Fine Wines to Mitchell Wines.  Although it's a challenge to work with an entirely new book, Ryan is excited by Mitchell's great selection and is relishing the chance to learn an entirely new selection of wines (plus he gets to work with WSA instructor Ewald Moseler, so that's got to be a plus as well!). 

And finally, on a recent trip to New Seasons, I was excited to see Kerry Godfrey (IC 2007) stocking wine bottles in his new position as Wine Manager.  Kerry says he's found the perfect job and loves spending his days helping customers select wine (although his body has not quite adapted to all the heavy lifting!).  The next time you're in the inner SE, stop in and see Kerry at the five corners New Seasons and put him to work!

Alright alums, keep us posted.  We want to know what you're up to and where you're working.  And for those of you who want to find out more about what our alums are up to, make sure to visit our graduates page.  

WSA Hosts Second Annual Careers in Wine Symposium

Want to make wine your profession? Join us in Seattle on Saturday, May 10, 2008 for a daylong symposium exploring career paths and opportunities in the wine industry. Panelists, representing many of Washington's top wine professionals, will discuss their personal experiences entering and working in the wine trade, insights into where the industry is heading, and suggestions for those just beginning their careers. Check out this year's schedule and register here.