Michelle A. Le Brun is a passionate wine enthusiast. Her professional career is multidimensional: 13 years in the wine industry -- 10 of which she's been a fine wine consultant; a decade as a public relations and marketing specialist in the environmental engineering industry; she managed scheduling and correspondence activities for a California congressman on Capitol Hill; and her fifteen minutes of fame was working at the White House on President Reagan's speechwriting staff. Writing and wine have always been her passion. She hopes to demystify, educate, and entertain those who share her love of the fermented grape. She holds a BA in Journalism, is a member of the Society of Wine Educators (SWE) and is pursuing her Certified Wine Specialist (CWS) accreditation. Le Brun, her husband, daughter and son twins, and beloved lab Riley, live in the Finger Lakes Wine Country on Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York.
Michelle Le Brun
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The IntoWine.com Annual “Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry" – 2012
People love lists; they can be a great source of education and discussion. But making a list such as this is not an easy process. Who are the most influential wine people in the U.S., and how exactly do you define ‘influential?’ Does influential mean people who move markets, impact consumers, inspire winemakers, and create debate? In a word, yes. These 100 people, from winemakers to law makers, bankers to bloggers, and sommeliers to celebrities are definitely people who influence wine; how it is made, marketed, perceived, sold, shipped, purchased and shared.
IntoWine.com’s “Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry” - 2018
There is currently a raging debate as to the validity of what an “influencer” is. Who are the most influential wine people in the United States, and how exactly do you define ‘influential?’ Does an influential mean a person who moves markets, impacts consumers, inspires winemakers, forms policy,...
The IntoWine.com 2nd Annual “Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry" – 2013
Our 2013 iteration of this list is intended as a source of education and discussion. The making of this list is never an easy process. Who are the most influential wine people in the United States, and how exactly do you define ‘influential?’ Does influential mean people who move markets, impact consumers, inspire winemakers, form policy, and create debate? Yes. Though some decry the consolidation of the wine industry (and that is an issue worth considering) we are not trying to suggest who is “good” or “bad” within America’s wine industry. We merely define the Top 100 people, from winemakers to law makers, bankers to bloggers, and sommeliers to celebrities who influence wine; how it is made, marketed, perceived, sold, shipped, purchased, shared and consumed. As was true in 2012, we sought help to assemble this list people from a diverse group of people and we are grateful for their input. And we chose to release it today, January 29th, as it was on this day in 1919 when the pathetic policy of Prohibition was ratified; the effects of this lunatic legislation still evident in our country’s inability to ship and sell wine across state lines. We honor winemakers, wine drinkers and wine lovers of every conceivable demographic. Use this list, comment on it, share it with everyone, learn from it, and continue your joy of being IntoWine.
Wine in the Bible Commentary
Wine is referenced in many Bible passages: Genesis 9:21 21 - And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. 24 - And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. Genesis 14:18 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and...
Top 100 Most Influential U.S. Winemakers
Ah the ubiquitous list. Everywhere you turn these days there is a top 10, the best 50, or some iteration of a who’s who list. So we can’t resist, besides, our Top 100 Most Influential Wine Industry list scored a lot of buzz, created a lot of chatter and even made a few enemies. This list is all about winemakers, those currently making wine here in America – not the great ones who have come before, but folks who make wines you can find now. There are some 7,000 bonded wineries in the U.S., and there’s a lot of forgettable wine being made. And in a world of homogenization of wine styles and a sense that our domestic wine industry is not legitimate without a French or Italian flare, we desire to promote regional flavor profiles of all American wine craftspeople. There are names here you’ll know and recognize, and names you never heard of but everyone on this list is influencing the public, fellow winemakers and the media in large and small ways. Use this list to learn about wines, varieties and regions you may not have considered; comment on it, share it with everyone, but above all continue your joy of being IntoWine.
