A Table For Two

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Cara Bertone, Vice-PresidentOf Lift Collective, Austin, USA

Cara is impassioned by circular economics and is working on solutions to a healthy future for the three-tier system. She believes we must improve outdated systems to work more sustainably for the next generation. Cara is a champion and accomplice for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is a persistent voice and thought leader in the wine industry.

Cara serves as Vice President on the board of Lift Collective, a 501c3 multi-channel platform innovating the constructs of the wine world through discussion, scholarship opportunities, and mentorship. In this role she helps to create programs that will support those that have been historically underrepresented. Most recently Lift Collective Entrepreneurship Program is taking action to change the trajectory of underrepresented wine entrepreneurs who report being overlooked for financial funding opportunities and regularly face bias and racism.

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Alva Sueiras, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Delicatessen, Montevideo, Uruguay

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Rania Zayyat, Founder Of Lift Collective, Austin, USA

Rania founded and hosted the inaugural Lift Collective Conference in March 2019, with an industry A-List of speakers including keynote Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, Victoria James, Cathy Corison, Martha Stoumen, and Marissa Ross.

Before founding Lift Collective, Rania served as Beverage Manager for June’s All Day, Sommelier at the Four Seasons Austin, Lead Sommelier at the now-defunct laV Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Sommelier at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

Rania has been recognized for her work in Zagat 30 Under 30 2015, Forbes, VinePair, The Somm Journal, Wine Enthusiast, The Vintner Project, Wine & Spirits, Sprudge, Eater, Texas Wine Lover, The Doctors, By The Glass Podcast, and The Alexi Cashen Podcast. She was named one of “The Most Inspiring People in Wine” by Wine Industry Network in 2021, listed in Imbibe’s “75 People to Watch in 2021”, named as a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40, and featured in Austin Monthly’s “12 Women Shaping the Future of Austin” in 2021. Rania is also a co-founder of Be The Change, the wine industry’s first virtual job fair with a focus on diversity and inclusion, and she is a founding member of The Hue Society’s Council of Resources.

Beyond wine, Rania is an avid non-fiction reader, a gender equality advocate, enjoys international travel, and loves seafood towers. Rania resides with her husband Chris, their dog Mango, and kittens Dashi and Mochi, in Austin, Texas.

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Lorraine Copes, Founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, London, UK.

Lorraine is an award-winning social entrepreneur, hospitality consultant and coach, and has worked as a senior executive, with 20 years experience working for brands including Shake Shack, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Corbin & King.

Throughout her career, the absence of People of Colour in positions of influence or generally visible throughout the sector has been a consistent problem. Lorraine’s goal is to change the narrative and remove the barriers to progress for those affected.

Be Inclusive Hospitality is a community of People of Colour and ally companies and individuals who are keen to accelerate race equity throughout the sector.

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Christian Holthausen, Founder, Westbrook Marketing Partners , Paris, France

A dual citizen of France and the United States, Christian Holthausen graduated from New York’s Vassar College in 1996 with a double concentration in English Literature and Feminist Theory before completing his post-graduate studies at La Sorbonne in Paris in 1999.

Prior to founding Westbrook Marketing Partners, Holthausen served as the Export Sales & International Communications Director for Champagne AR Lenoble for six years after spending seven years as the International House Communications Director for Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck & Charles Heidsieck. He previously spent five years managing the wine and champagne portfolio of Rémy Cointreau USA in New York after starting his career at Champagne Veuve Clicquot in 1999. In between, he also lived in London for 18 months where he was head of marketing for Nyetimber and a branding consultant for Gusbourne.

Outside of his role at Champagne AR Lenoble, Holthausen has contributed articles on wine and spirits to a variety of publications including Meininger’s Wine Business International in Germany as well as Decanter, The Guardian, www.jancisrobinson.com and The World of Fine Wine in the United Kingdom. In 2017, he was shortlisted for Emerging Wine Writer of the Year at the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards.

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Michelle Mandro, Founder And President Of Wine Country Women, Napa, USA

SPECIAL GUEST BIO

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Jon Priest, Senior Winemaker & General Manager, Etude, Napa, USA

SPECIAL GUEST BIO

In 2005, Jon received the phone call to come to Napa Valley and take the torch from Etude’sfounder, Tony Soter. Since that day, he has spent over a dozen years creating memorable wines that tell you where they’ve come from in every sip, as well as creating a reputation as one of the most accomplished winemakers in California, with a special touch for Pinot Noir.

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Tahiirah Habibi, Founder and CEO of The Hue Society, Atlanta, USA

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Dr. Akilah Cadet, Founder & CEO, Change Cadet, Oakland, USA

In today’s episode of One on One, Antoine Abou-Samra welcomes Preston Mohr, Sales and Marketing Director, Wine Scholar Guild, Paris, France

Preston is currently Sales and Marketing Director for Wine Scholar Guild, leading provider of specialized certification programs on the wines of France, Italy and Spain with a school network spanning 30 countries and 5 continents.

Preston completed the WSET Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)® and he is currently studying to become a French Wine Scholar.