victoria Ash

I'm originally a native New Yorker who grew up in Manhattan, went to boarding school, and then attended Syracuse University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. Back in the 90s, I knew I didn't want to be a field scientist, so I got involved with environmental law and political science classes. I happened upon an article about a woman who had started her own environmental lobbying firm and thought to myself, this is the niche I can create for myself. I ended up being a lobbyist in Albany, New York State, and then moved to DC where I pounded the pavement, worked for a number of national associations, and then a large private lobbying firm. After about 6 years in DC, I found it was such a grind and really uninspiring. I wanted to move back to New York and happened upon an opportunity for a job as director of sales and marketing for a small winery out on the North Fork of Long Island. It was just kind of a light bulb moment for me. I convinced the owners of the winery that I could translate my lobbying skills into being a sales and marketing director, and that's how I got my foot in the door with the wine business. I became a Level 1 Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and volunteered at the International Wine Center, which was run by Mary Ewing Mulligan, one of the first female masters of wine. After I moved to California, I did some writing for Modern Luxury publications and Los Angeles Magazine.