Officially founded in 2018, New England Wine Academy is the evolution of the long and steady process undertaken by Brian Mitchell many years ago, and with one simple goal: make drinks education fun for everyone!
We do this by elevating the theoretical knowledge and tasting skills of both the wine drinking public as well as the professional drinks community.
In short - WE SPREAD THE WORD!
(and have fun doing it, too)
Now offering programs for all levels of knowledge and goals, NEWA has Academy classes that often focus on specific topics, style or categories of drinks, wine and spirits, as well as courses for those looking to position themselves with certifications and qualifications recognized globally. We also offer Professional development courses as well as consulting and program guidance for the industry. With a strong background in the wholesale and on-premise sectors, NEWA can guide those looking to advance their programs, their staff and their offerings to the market.
NEWA has also associated itself with leading wine and spirits educators to compliment the program offerings. With a variety of backgrounds and interests, we feel that each member of our team brings their unique perspective to helping our student candidates learn to their potential.
We do this by elevating the theoretical knowledge and tasting skills of both the wine drinking public as well as the professional drinks community.
In short - WE SPREAD THE WORD!
(and have fun doing it, too)
Now offering programs for all levels of knowledge and goals, NEWA has Academy classes that often focus on specific topics, style or categories of drinks, wine and spirits, as well as courses for those looking to position themselves with certifications and qualifications recognized globally. We also offer Professional development courses as well as consulting and program guidance for the industry. With a strong background in the wholesale and on-premise sectors, NEWA can guide those looking to advance their programs, their staff and their offerings to the market.
NEWA has also associated itself with leading wine and spirits educators to compliment the program offerings. With a variety of backgrounds and interests, we feel that each member of our team brings their unique perspective to helping our student candidates learn to their potential.
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BRIAN MITCHELL - FOUNDER, LEAD EDUCATOR
#SommAdvice #poppincorks Please allow me to introduce myself and give you a little background on my qualifications in the wine and beverage industry: Beverage / drinks industry veteran for 30+ years Advanced Sommelier - Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Specialist in Wine - Society of Wine Educators Level 4 Diploma - Wine & Spirits Educational Trust, London Sommelier since 1994 Wine Judge 17 years as fine Wine & Spirits rep for leading fine wine wholesaler in CT Since 2011, Director of Beverages for Max Restaurant Group, with 11 locations in CT, MA, and FL; overseeing training for 500 employees, $23m in beverage sales, and over 150 special events per year. Created full assortment of beverage training guides for consumers and industry staff called Liquid Education I have conducted well-over 3000 (and adding more every week!) wine and beverage classes and training seminars for service and consumer students I have traveled and led groups to many wine regions around the world Blogger, photographer (mainly of bottles and plates of food), ebook writer, avid cyclist and golfer Founder Vintage Wine School (2005), and The New England Wine Academy (2019) |
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Living an working in the Beverage Industry in Connecticut is fun and often exciting, but sometimes can be a bit challenging. I grew up in CT and have been working in the industry here since 1993, and have spent time in just about every facet and corner of the business.
I started as a bartender many years ago, and was very quickly handed the entire wine program for a landmark, upscale restaurant with several outlets. This is also where I cut my chops as a Somm, well before I even knew what a "Somm" was. (People would ask me if I was Sommelier, and I would reply that I was simply a wine steward - mainly because I didn't own a tastevin, or even really know how to pronounce "Sommelier".)
I got the bug, though, and this was followed by stints in restaurant management, fine wine retail, wholesale sales, consulting, as well a long and steady self and formal education in wine and spirits.
Currently I am overseeing the beverage program for 11 full service restaurants in three states. This gives me ample opportunity to deal with every facet of beverages and the beverage industry. It also gives me maximum exposure to products and trends, as well as many creative outlets to work with everything from wine to cocktails and beer as well as non-alcoholic items.
In 2015, I made the decision to enter the Court of Master Sommeliers programs. This was a decision long in the back of my mind, and I waited for life's flow to come to a place where I felt comfortable to take on the intense challenge of a program at this level. I have successfully passed through levels 1 (Intro), 2 (Certified) and 3 (Advanced). I have not yet made the decision to continue to the Master level, which is a major undertaking, but time will tell...
2018 brought my WSET process to a new level when I became a certified educator and Approved Program Provider, adding the compliment of WSET courses to my offerings as the core of the New England Wine Academy, which focuses on improving the knowledge of the drink trade and enthusiast community, alike.
In CT, there is a small, dedicated, but sometimes disjointed community of beverage people. This is changing rapidly, and my goal is to help bring that community closer together, build our knowledge, and improve our service and hospitality skills.
I started as a bartender many years ago, and was very quickly handed the entire wine program for a landmark, upscale restaurant with several outlets. This is also where I cut my chops as a Somm, well before I even knew what a "Somm" was. (People would ask me if I was Sommelier, and I would reply that I was simply a wine steward - mainly because I didn't own a tastevin, or even really know how to pronounce "Sommelier".)
I got the bug, though, and this was followed by stints in restaurant management, fine wine retail, wholesale sales, consulting, as well a long and steady self and formal education in wine and spirits.
Currently I am overseeing the beverage program for 11 full service restaurants in three states. This gives me ample opportunity to deal with every facet of beverages and the beverage industry. It also gives me maximum exposure to products and trends, as well as many creative outlets to work with everything from wine to cocktails and beer as well as non-alcoholic items.
In 2015, I made the decision to enter the Court of Master Sommeliers programs. This was a decision long in the back of my mind, and I waited for life's flow to come to a place where I felt comfortable to take on the intense challenge of a program at this level. I have successfully passed through levels 1 (Intro), 2 (Certified) and 3 (Advanced). I have not yet made the decision to continue to the Master level, which is a major undertaking, but time will tell...
2018 brought my WSET process to a new level when I became a certified educator and Approved Program Provider, adding the compliment of WSET courses to my offerings as the core of the New England Wine Academy, which focuses on improving the knowledge of the drink trade and enthusiast community, alike.
In CT, there is a small, dedicated, but sometimes disjointed community of beverage people. This is changing rapidly, and my goal is to help bring that community closer together, build our knowledge, and improve our service and hospitality skills.
Elayne Duff - duffontherocks.com
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Elayne Duff is an accomplished professional with more than 15 years within the beverage and alcohol industry. She has a solid track record of developing and implementing successful programs to drive brand growth, advocacy and customer/trade loyalty for brands such as Cîroc Vodka, Tanqueray Ten, Bulleit Bourbon & Don Julio Tequila. Within her global role for AB InBev, she created a groundbreaking sales strategy for selling craft beer within the unchartered territory of fine dining in addition to the global training strategy for over 1,500 AB InBev restaurant employees across five continents. In the United States, she is widely recognized by distributers, trade and consumers alike for delivering highly entertaining and interactive training programs, celebrity brand partnerships, on-trade brand building events, as well as being an award-winning luxury brand ambassador, mixologist & educator.
"Elayne is an absolute joy to watch working; her energy and enthusiasm is unrivaled," says Sean Muldoon, Dead Rabbit. "She is well-liked and highly respected by all who know her and is one of my favorite people in the entire industry." "I have known and worked with Elayne for more than 15 years, having witnessed her Brand Ambassador career, first hand. Elayne is not only one of the best brand presenters that I know, but she is an industry leading trainer, educator and mentor. She presents with an unmatched energy and passion and has the inherent ability to connect with trainees of all skill levels. I have the highest regard for Elayne and the utmost confidence in her abilities." Tony Bagnulo owner of Bullrush Gin |
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