From Sommelier to Senior VP: Laura DePasquale MS on Building a Career in Wine

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, hosts Brady Weller and Billy Galanko are joined by Laura DePasquale, Master Sommelier and Senior VP of Artisanal Wines at Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits. With over two decades in the wine industry, Laura shares her insights on navigating a path from sommelier to senior executive. Her career, which began on the floor of restaurants, soon took her into the distribution side, where she quickly became known for her business acumen and expertise in fine wine. Laura recounts her journey through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a process that included years of rigorous study, challenges as a female in a male-dominated field, and eventually earning her Master Sommelier title in 2004. As VP at Southern Glazer, Laura has pioneered the creation of the company’s Artisanal Wine Division, defining fine wine in a way that goes beyond price to focus on terroir, legacy, and production scale. She shares how her work has shifted perceptions of “fine wine” within the industry, prioritizing wines that speak to unique family stories and sustainable practices. Laura also opens up about the importance of mentorship and legacy, explaining how she’s dedicated to paving the way for future wine professionals by fostering a culture of inclusivity, knowledge, and respect for craftsmanship. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast 00:32 Coravin Giveaway Announcement 01:05 YouTube Content and Future Plans 04:22 Hospice de Beaune Insights 07:12 Introducing Laura DePasquale 10:24 Laura"s Journey in the Wine Industry 16:38 Building the Artisanal Wine Division 30:31 Starting a Wine Distribution Business 32:50 Improving Wine Handling and Storage 33:26 Customer Feedback and Strategy 35:10 Family-Owned Business Dynamics 35:44 Trends and Changes in the Wine Industry 36:07 Breaking Barriers as a Female Sommelier 45:43 Navigating Career and Personal Life 53:26 Future Plans and Legacy The Vint Podcast is presented by Coravin, the world"s leader in wine preservation systems. Listeners of the Vint Podcast can take 15% off their purchase on Coravin.com by using promo code VINT15 at checkout*. Members of the trade can access exclusive discounts at trade.Coravin.com. The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com. To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at https://vint.co or Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com. *Terms and Conditions Apply. Offer valid only on Coravin.com while supplies last. Pricing and discount are subject to change at any time. Coravin reserves the right to limit order quantities. No adjustments to prior purchases. Not valid for cash. Cheers! Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O"Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown,...