Welcome to Episode 2487 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Maryam Ahmed of Maryam + Company at TEXSOM 2025. 

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America.

Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry.

This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine.

More about today’s guest:

Maryam Ahmed is a Napa, CA based food and wine entrepreneur. As the owner of Maryam + Company, a certified B Corporation, she works at the intersection of sommeliers, chefs, activists, sustainability experts, media, and organizations focused on diversity and sustainability to design impact-driven brand extension and educational programs that celebrate food and wine. She is the creator of Field Blends, an immersive food and wine travel experience focused on opening up conversations about what’s emerging in wine and agriculture. Maryam is the co-founder of the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum, which she leads in partnership with Dr. Akilah Cadet. Maryam was named a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker in 2022, received the 2023 Impact Award from the Wine & Culture Festival,  was listed as one of the Imbibe 75, and nominated for the Social Visionary Wine Star Award in 2022. She is also a cast member on SOMM TV,  a published writer, public speaker, and a partner at PLAYTE Kitchen.

Connect:

Website: https://www.maryamandcompany.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanaclarke/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryamandcompany/ 

More about the host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published, The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her forthcoming book, Italianity, with co-author Andrea Lonardi MW explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. (Release Spring 2026). She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy/#   

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Until next time, Cin Cin!