Mary Beth Vierra

Mary Beth Vierra, founder of Crush Course, Certified Wine Educator, Italian Wine Ambassador (VinItaly Academy) and Italian Wine Scholar (Wine Scholar Guild) is a wine educator, writer, and speaker. She is sought for her expertise in world wine regions and terroir impacts, California wines, Italian wines, and the dynamics of food and wine pairing.

A 16-year veteran in the wine industry, she is recognized for exciting curiosity of the wine enthusiast and deepening actionable expertise of industry pros. Mary Beth develops and leads dynamic wine education programs and hosts classes, tours, tastings and paired meals in the US and Italy for industry teams and wine enthusiasts.

Mary Beth is a feature writer and virtual host for winery clients, Italian importers (presenting in both Italian and English), her blog Crush Notes, and is a contributing writer to the Slow Wine Guide USA. She also provides spokesperson training to winery leaders and is sought as a wine judge, including for Sunset International Wine Competition.

Mary Beth is fluent in Italian after having lived La Dolce Vita in Italy for five years. She holds the Master Degree in Rhetoric and Communications.

Prior to founding Crush Course, for 11 years, Mary Beth managed product education for E & J Gallo Winery. She developed and led wine & spirits training programs, classes, and educational tours through California, Washington, and Italy, training international sales and hospitality teams. She developed trade education across brands, and directed their online education platforms –Gallo Wine Academy & Gallo Spirits Academy

Mary Beth lives in view of the vines in Healdsburg, nestled in northern California’s premier wine growing region of Sonoma County.