Catherine Bugue Accepts Position as Director of Education

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Napa, CA (September 1, 2015) – Balzac Communications announces that Senior Account Executive Catherine Bugue has accepted the position of Director of Education at the Napa Valley Wine Academy, the premier Napa Valley wine school she helped found in 2012 with partner and Executive Director Christian Oggenfuss and partner Jurg Oggenfuss.

Over the past seven years Catherine has managed international wine accounts at the country’s largest wine marketing firm, Balzac Communications & Marketing, promoting regions and wines such as Franciacorta, Chianti Classico, and Collio in Italy, and Rueda and Navarra in Spain, in addition to class development and teaching at the Academy and wine writing for local and international wine publications.

Catherine Bugue

Catherine Bugue, D.W.S., I.W.P., A.W.S. Photo by Sean Scully and sourced from Napa Valley Register.

“This is a day of conflicting emotions for all of us here at Balzac,” says President Paul Wagner. “We are so happy for Catherine, that she is reaching for the stars with this step, and yet we are so sorry that we won’t see her every day in the office. We certainly wish her every success, and are grateful that she will continue to consult with us as needed.”

“I speak for all of us here at Napa Valley Wine Academy when I say how excited we are to have Catherine Bugue join us as the Director of Education,” says Executive Director, Christian Oggenfuss. “Catherine brings with her a rich background in wine education and wine writing, and we are excited to have her expertise as we expand our educational offerings. We have had an amazing four years of growth and look forward to Catherine Bugue joining us as we launch new and exciting courses in 2016 and beyond.”

This January the Napa Valley Wine Academy opened new headquarters in downtown Napa just off Highway 29. The space at 2501 Oak Street offers a modern, state-of-the-art facility with the latest in technology, professional climatized wine fridges, and professional glassware sponsored by Riedel, to further enhance student experiences with the school’s wide variety of certification and enthusiast wine courses.

Catherine, who gained her WSET Diploma in 2009 and holds numerous other wine certification awards, will continue with her wine writing assignments, such as the Wine of the Week recommendations and monthly Tasting Panel column for the St. Helena Star, and will also expand upon her writings in new publications.

About Balzac Communications & Marketing

Balzac Communications & Marketing is a marketing communications agency with a no-nonsense approach to combining the strategies and tactics of marketing, public relations, advertising and graphic design to achieve the marketing goals of its clients. The experience, creativity and determination of the staff distinguish Balzac from their competition. They use these assets to develop and execute cost-effective campaigns, which have won international communications awards. The results speak for themselves. The agency is located in Napa, California, and provides services to national, regional, and local companies based in Northern California and throughout the world.

To learn more about industry trade tasting events and the wide roster of local and international clients at Balzac Communications & Marketing, visit www.balzac.com

About the Napa Valley Wine Academy

Instructors at the Napa Valley Academy are industry professionals holding many of the top credentials (Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, WSET Diploma, CWE, winemaking degrees) who bring an energetic new take to wine and spirit education, using hands-on activities to inspire wine enthusiasts, and interactive learning techniques to help students studying for wine certification classes.

To learn more about Academy classes, visit www.napavalleywineacademy.com

 

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Director of Education – WSET-Certified, D.W.S., IWP

Catherine Bugue

Catherine is co-owner and Vice President of Education at the Napa Valley Wine Academy, overseeing WSET course delivery, instructors, and the creation of new courses.

Catherine earned her Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2010 and numerous other post-nominals and instructs advanced-level courses such as the WSET Level 3 and Diploma units.

Loving to write as much as teaching, Catherine sits on the Napa Valley Vintners and St Helena Star Tasting Panel and is a wine columnist for the Napa Valley Register.

Catherine previously managed international wine accounts for Balzac Communications & Marketing, where she promoted the region and wines of Navarra, Rueda, Collio, Franciacorta, Chianti Classico, and more. She lives with her husband, François, in Napa Valley, where he is in wine production.