![Olly Smith, multi award-winning wine expert, TV personality, author and columnist.](https://www.wineeducationweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2000x1200_WEW_Olly-Smith-2000x1200.jpg)
Olly Smith
UK
Olly Smith is a multi award-winning wine expert, TV personality, author and columnist. His finely tuned taste buds, boundless knowledge and infectious enthusiasm know no bounds. He is the wine columnist for The Mail on Sunday, regular wine expert on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, presenter on BBC Radio 2 and host of his own drinks podcast ‘A Glass With’ featuring a dazzling array of celebrity guests including pop star P!NK, Sting, actor Sam Neill, Sir Michael Parkinson and Dawn French. With the award-winning chain of Glass House wine bars aboard P&O Cruises featuring his own meticulously curated wine list, author of 4 books, a successful wine app and his own range of glassware, the only thing Olly is more enthusiastic about than a glass of wine, is sharing it.
"Wine education enhances the curation of life’s greatest pleasures. By learning the characteristics of a grape or wine region, it’s a shortcut to finding a wine you love at a budget that’s bang on the money, to source a bottle that pairs beautifully with a particular dish and that delights in great company inspiring conviviality, conversation and memories."
Olly Smith
![Terry Xu, Terry Xu Wine Educator & Wine KOL](https://www.wineeducationweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2000x1200_WEW_Terry-Xu-2000x1200.jpg)
Terry Xu
Wine Educator & Wine KOL
Terry is one of China’s most influential wine KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) with nearly half million followers on social media. A WSET Level 4 Diploma holder, he is an award-winning wine educator, wine business consultant, writer and host of wine documentaries. He is passionate about promoting wine culture in China.
"As the old saying goes “Within books, one can find houses of gold. Within books, one can find ladies as fair as jade”. And I believe that a glass of wine offers not less than that. For thousands of years, wine has nourished the world’s culture, and has been loved by countless writers and artists. Life is short, read more, drink more and learn more."
Terry Xu
![Alyssa Vitrano Founder, grapefriend.com](https://www.wineeducationweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2000x1200_WEW_Alyssa-Vitrano-Grapefriend-2000x1200.jpg)
Alyssa Vitrano
Founder, grapefriend.com
Alyssa Vitrano is the founder of grapefriend.com, a blog that interweaves wine and pop culture. After a career as a magazine entertainment editor and a producer at MTV, Alyssa got hooked on the grape. She started grapefriend to give people a place to have as much fun finding out about wine as they do when they’re drinking it. Alyssa has written regular wine articles for Marie Claire, Yahoo Food and Cosmopolitan, and has been featured in Bon Appetit, Parade, Edible Long Island, and Glamour. In addition to her blog, she has a fun and highly engaged social media following.
"My mission with grapefriend has always been to make sure people have as much fun learning about wine as they do when they're drinking it. So many people are still intimidated by wine and there's just no reason for that. Learning just a few facts helps you navigate the wine world with more confidence."
Alyssa Vitrano
![Kelly Mitchell aka The Wine Siren](https://www.wineeducationweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2000x1200_WEW_Kelly-Mitchell-The-Wine-Siren-2000x1200.jpg)
Kelly Mitchell
aka The Wine Siren
Kelly Mitchell aka The Wine Siren, is a long-time entrepreneur. Chasing her dream of finally doing what she loves, she embraced wine and wine education just five years ago. Today, an award-winning writer and videographer, she tells the stories of wine artisans and wine regions from Brazil and California to Spain and Italy. Awaiting her WSET Level 3 in Wines, she is also the U.S. Ambassador for Wine Paths, a Bordeaux based international luxury wine travel firm.
"The world of wine is a never-ending adventure in learning. There is no better way to advance your knowledge than by investing in a solid wine education such as the WSET provides."
Kelly Mitchell
![Chelsie Petras, Chel Loves Wine](https://www.wineeducationweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2000x1200_WEW_Chelsea-Petras-2000x1200.jpg)
Chelsie Petras
Chel Loves Wine
Chelsie is a NYC based wine lover, blogger and on camera personality, who has a goal to make wine less intimidating one glass at a time. She currently holds her WSET Level 2 in Wines & Spirits award and is working towards WSET Level 3 in Wines in 2019. You can catch Chel on her weekly series with PureWow called, “It’s Wine O’Clock”.
"The thing I love most about wine is that there is always something new to learn. That’s why wine education is key in this industry. Knowing about a wine from start to finish gives you a greater understanding and appreciation for the wine as a whole."
Chelsie Petras