While studying Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, Michelle worked in many facets of the restaurant and hotel business learning the intricacies of the industry. Having such sincere enthusiasm and a keen sense of leadership, she was selected to be a corporate trainer for the Seasons 52 concept and traveled throughout the US opening new restaurants. It was during these long hours of training and travels that she started to develop a passion for wine. Working closely with Master Sommelier George Miliotes, she first experienced wine not as an elite beverage but as something fascinating and accessible.

After moving to Napa Valley in 2012 to further explore her passion for wine, Michelle landed at Shafer Vineyards and currently is a brand manager throughout the state of California. Recipient of a James Beard Scholarship for wine studies, Michelle is a perpetual student of wine and is currently in pursuit of her WSET Diploma Certification. When she is not gearing up for a Diploma exam, she is out traveling the world learning about local customs, gastronomy, and (of course) oenology. More recently, trips to the coastal regions of Chile and a travels through the wine routes of Champagne, Alsace, and Burgundy in France have brought firsthand experience to her classroom lessons.

Combining a mix of sales and brand management experience with an unquenchable thirst for continuing wine education, Michelle brings both enthusiasm and real-world examples to help her students better understand the world of wine.

Michelle holds the WSET Certified Advanced (Level 3) with Distinction from the Wine and Spirits Trust (WSET) in London, England and is currently a 2nd-year student in the WSET Diploma program.