Erik Wait

In 1997, while working on my Master of Arts Degree, I discovered the beauty of the wine country in Temecula California. Shortly thereafter, to further my newfound love of wine, I volunteered to assist in a harvest and crush at Shadow Mountain Vineyards & Winery.   In the year 2000 I returned to the S.F. Bay Area and began exploring all of the wine countries of California. I have chronicled my experiences, published numerous reviews and photos as well as videos on the internet. During my travels I have visited hundreds of wineries, over 130 in the Napa Valley alone, and have made many friends and contacts with people in the industry. From time to time I have provided my photography and videos to wineries who appreciated my work.   To further my exploration of wine I then took courses in the Viticulture and Winery Technology program at Las Positas College and worked at two different wineries.   Having learned about wine production and explored the California and Oregon wine countries I then pursued an education about the rest of the world of wine through the Wine & Spirit Educational Trust (WSET). In August 2012 I earned my WSET Advanced Certification. I am currently enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma program which I hope to complete by 2017.   I then wanted to learn more about the hospitality side of the wine industry so I enrolled in the 17 week Intensive Sommelier Training at the International Culinary Center and graduated on March 13, 2014. Two weeks later on March 26th I passed the Certified Sommelier Exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers.   To further my understanding of French Wines I then enrolled in the French Wine Scholar Program at the San Francisco Wine School and passed the exam on June 5, 2015.