Tim Marson is a distinguished Master of Wine (MW) and Category Director at Wine.com, the United States' leading online wine retailer. In his role, he oversees the procurement of over 7,000 wines from France and Italy, ensuring a diverse and high-quality selection for customers. A graduate in Classics from Oxford University, Tim began his wine industry career in 1997. Tim's extensive experience includes roles with prominent UK wine merchants. In 2011, he relocated to Napa, California, to serve as Vice-President of Procurement at a direct-to-consumer online retailer. He later became Senior Buyer at Global Wine Co., where he sourced wines for notable partner wine clubs, including those of Williams-Sonoma and The New York Times. ​Since joining Wine.com in 2016, Tim has played a pivotal role in expanding the company's international wine portfolio, particularly focusing on selections from France and Italy. Tim Marson's career reflects a profound commitment to wine education and curation, significantly enhancing the offerings at Wine.com and enriching the experiences of wine enthusiasts nationwide. His knowledge of ecommerce and education might be the key for engaging the next generation of wine drinkers.

Marvin John "MJ" Towler, is a distinguished figure in the wine industry, celebrated for his extensive experience and engaging approach to wine education. MJ began his wine journey in 1997 at Acker Wines in New York City. By April 2000, he made history as the first African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer during Acker's $1.5 million spring auction at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel. His career spans various facets of the wine business, including roles in retail, wholesale, auctions, and consulting. Notably, he served as Assistant Wine Director at Sparrow Wine & Liquor Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey, and later as the retail store manager and sommelier at the Montecito Wine Bistro in Santa Barbara, California. In October 2020, MJ launched "The Black Wine Guy Experience" podcast, which quickly ascended into the Top 20 in Apple's food category. The podcast features candid conversations with notable figures in the food and wine industry, reflecting MJ's unique ability to demystify wine in an approachable and entertaining manner. His contributions have earned him recognition in Imbibe's 2023 Imbibe 75 and Wine Enthusiast's Future 40 list of leading tastemakers and innovators.

António Rios de Amorim is the Chairman and CEO of Corticeira Amorim, the world's largest cork producer. Born in 1967, he graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in International Commerce and pursued postgraduate studies in management at INSEAD, Stanford, and Columbia Universities, as well as in Oenology at the University of Bordeaux. In 1996, António was appointed Chief Executive of the cork stopper division of Amorim's industrial branch, and by March 2001, he ascended to Chairman and CEO of the entire cork operation. Under his leadership, Corticeira Amorim has emphasized research and development, investing in new plant development and vertical integration from raw material supply to finished products. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Medal of Industrial Merit by the President of Portugal in January 2006. At it's core, Amorim continues to be the preeminent cork stopper supplier in the world. Through his work in corks stoppers, he has a unique, and often underappreciated perspective on the wine industry and it's challenges.

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Aaron Pott is a renowned Napa Valley winemaker celebrated for his expertise in crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines. With a deep-rooted passion for viticulture and a philosophy centered on letting the land speak through the bottle, Pott has established himself as one of the most respected vintners in California.

His journey in wine began at the University of California, Davis, where he studied enology. His career took off in Bordeaux, where he honed his skills under Michel Rolland at Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion and later at Château La Tour Figeac. Upon returning to the U.S., Pott held influential winemaking positions at St. Clement and Quintessa before founding his own label, Pott Wine.

Known for his poetic storytelling, his take on “What’s the Problem?” is both thought-provoking, and grounding.

Karen MacNeil is a renowned American author, journalist, wine educator, and consultant, celebrated for her profound influence in the wine industry. She is the only American to have received every major wine award in the English language, including the James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year and the International Wine and Spirits Award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year.

Her seminal work, "The Wine Bible," first published in 2001, has sold nearly one million copies worldwide, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling wine books in the United States. Beyond writing, MacNeil has made significant contributions to wine education. She hosted the PBS series "Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil," for which she won an Emmy Award. Additionally, she served as the wine correspondent for NBC's "The Today Show." ​

TIME Magazine once referred to her as "America’s Missionary of the Vine," highlighting her dedication to demystifying wine and making it accessible to a broader audience. Throughout her illustrious career, Karen MacNeil has been a trailblazer in the wine industry, inspiring and educating countless enthusiasts and professionals alike. If anyone is qualified to comment on the state of the wine industry, and how it is being reflected through the wine media, it is Karen.

Born and raised into a winemaking family in Burgundy, France, Pauline Vicard has dedicated over 15 years to the wine industry across Europe and internationally. Her early career included roles in the market research department of the Burgundy Wine Board and the French Embassy. She later founded a corporate wine events and education company in Lille, France. In 2015, she moved to London to lead the Wine Library at Clerkenwell London, a multifaceted design destination. This experience led her to co-found ARENI Global in 2018, an independent think tank focused on the future of fine wine, where she serves as Executive Director. Beyond her professional endeavors, Pauline is a WSET-certified educator, and Master of Wine student. Her thought leadership and deep roots in the wine industry inform a profound take on the issues that we face today.

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Mike Wolf is a distinguished viticulturist renowned for his significant contribution to bringing ecologically focused farming practices to precision farming for some of the most highly-regarded wines in California. Raised just outside New York City, Mike earned a bachelor's degree in history from Alfred University in 1971 before moving to Ukiah, California in 1972, marking his initial foray into agriculture. In 1997 he founded Michael Wolf Vineyard Services, quickly gaining prominence as a thought leader for responsible farming practices in the high-end of the market. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mike was honored as the Napa Valley Grower of the Year in 2015 by the Napa Valley Grape growers. His profound commitment to excellence in all aspects of viticulture has solidified his reputation as one of Napa’s greats and his impact on the valley has been indelible. Known as a man of few words, when he speaks, we should all listen.

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John Capone is the Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. He began his editorial career at Blue Magazine and has contributed to various publications, including New York Magazine, BlackBook, and San Francisco Magazine. In addition to his editorial work, Capone has hands-on experience in the wine industry, having worked multiple harvests in Northern California and serving as the marketing manager for Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma. His understanding of the role of journalism and critics and scores is a breath of fresh air for "What's the Problem?"

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Andrew Jefford is a distinguished British wine writer and broadcaster, celebrated for his insightful and eloquent contributions to wine literature. With a career spanning several decades, he has become one of the most distinctive voices in the field. Jefford has been a regular contributor to Decanter magazine since 1988, where his monthly columns and features have garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Louis Roederer and Glenfiddich Awards. He also serves as a contributing editor at The World of Fine Wine, further solidifying his influence in the wine community. His latest book, Drinking with the Valkyries, published in late 2022, has received widespread acclaim. Beyond writing, he contributes as an academic advisor to The Wine Scholar Guild, sharing his extensive knowledge with enthusiasts and professionals alike. His answer to "What's the Problem?" went well beyond wine writing and highlighted some of the most important issues facing not just the industry, but humanity as a whole.

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Jean-Charles Boisset is a French-American entrepreneur, winemaker, and the owner of Boisset Collection, a family-owned wine business that spans multiple generations and produces wines from 24 wineries located in some of the most prestigious regions in France and California. Born into a winemaking family in Burgundy, Jean-Charles developed a passion for wine at an early age and later moved to California, where he expanded his family's legacy by acquiring vineyards and wineries, including the iconic DeLoach Vineyards and Raymond Vineyards. Through his international and intergenerational view of the industry, he provides a unique take on the problems we face today.

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