Effervescent wine educator Monique Studak joins Wine & Food Week as the moderator of the Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Panel & Luncheon. We are thrilled to welcome her back as one of our culinary and wine industry gems.

Monique explains that after 25 years in the alcohol beverage industry, Thirst for Knowledge was born as an opportunity to bring together her passions for Wine and the Art of Selling. “Helping people discover wine for the first time, dig deeper into their appreciation or gain confidence in their ability to sell tableside, or business to business, creates within me great satisfaction. Wine, people, travel, and adventure are all active ingredients in my life,” she explained.

Much of Monique’s career was spent focused on restaurants, hotels, bottle shops and national accounts. She developed wine and training programs for the trade and educating the public. She began her career in the Texas Wine Industry at Messina Hof, before spending 16 years with the E&J Gallo Family of Wines and 7 years with Pernod Ricard.

Recent projects include teaching a refresher class on hand selling to HEB Wine Stewards. And, working with Customer Account Managers from Pernod Ricard on actively selling wine to restaurants in the post COVID world. She is also the President of the Board of Directors of Women and Wine Charities.

An active speaker on a local and national level, from small groups to professional organizations, always with an eye on creating ‘ah ha’ moments, Monique is a connector of people, a generator of ideas and a creative problem solver. Her personal mantra is that life is about celebrating both the big and small successes along the way.