Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan MW

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan always demonstrated a deep passion and drive for excellence.

By age 11, she played violin in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) orchestra. She was first seat violin, a football and basketball cheerleader, and a lead in all the school musicals through high school. Receiving an academic scholarship for highest honors, she attended the international business program at The University of Denver, graduating cum laude.

She passed Citicorp’s Corporate Management Associates Program after achieving the Series 7 and 63 License with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She then transferred to their London office where she worked on financial models and optimal capital structuring presentations for the Automotive Industry. She gained considerable experience dealing with high-status and influential clients. However, don’t judge this book by its cover. In addition to her academic and classic achievements, she also holds her brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Where does wine come in? It was a business lunch in London that changed Jennifer’s life forever. An herb crusted salmon and Sancerre pairing ignited a new passion, opening her eyes to the world of wine. From that lunch on, she was insatiable for knowledge on all things wine.

Jennifer, now 36, is the fourth woman in the US to obtain the title of Master of Wine (MW), the most rigorous and difficult title to achieve in wine in the world. She was honored in June 2008 with the international Wiesbaden Tasting Trophy by The Institute of Masters of Wine. She is also among the few to have achieved the highest credentials from both The Society of Wine Educators and Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

Jennifer has trained thousands in the wine and spirits trade in over 22 states, traveled to 35 wine regions and judged in international wine and spirits competitions. She is a contributing editor to the 2007 Professional Wine Reference and The Great Courses- The Everyday Guide to Wine.  She is also a freelance journalist contributing to Haute Life Press.

Jennifer has been featured for her expertise on Fox, Fox News, Fox Business, NBC, CBS, Les Kinkaid Radio, Martha Stewart Radio, Plum TV, Wine Enthusiast, Gotham Magazine and The New York Times. She has conducted wine seminars for international firms including UBS, Lazard Group, Morgan Stanley and U.S. Trust. She has also worked with famous Food Network Stars such as Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Mario Batali and Jacques Pépin. She was even invited by the White House Head in 2009 to visit the White House wine cellar.