Welcome to episode 1395, in which host Victoria Cece interviews Barbara Fitzgerald this week on The Next Generation.

The Next Generation where Victoria Cece interviews young Italian wine people shaking up the wine scene.

More about today’s guest:

Barbara is an Italian-American who's family is among the California wine industry pioneers -- her great-grandfather (in immigrant from Tuscany) obtained the 4th winegrower's license in the state. All this to say, Italian wine and culture is a part of her DNA. Armed with passion and a lifetime of living in the industry, Barbara decided to build a career outside her family's legacy. Over the past 15 years, she has been a powerhouse in Direct to Consumer Marketing and Strategy, helping wine brands find exponential increases in revenue, brand awareness, and customer based. Barbara currently owns her own consulting firm, Apri La Creative, and works with clients across California and Italy. In 2023, she became an Italian Wine Ambassador at Vinitaly International Academy. Aside from growth in direct to consumer business and connections, Barbara is deeply committed to increasing sustainability in agriculture and production, and equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the wine industry. She lives most of the time in Sonoma County, spending a few months of the year in Puglia.

To learn more visit:Website: www.aprilacreative.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/Facebook: Instagram: @barbarajeanfitz

More about the host:Victoria Cece is a food and beverage storyteller whose curiosity is somewhere deep in a bowl of pasta or a bottle of wine. A fool for history, you can find her reading up about ancient grape varietals or wandering around a little Italian town eating everything in sight, under her alias Slutti Spaghetti.

To learn more visit:Instagram: @sluttispaghettiTwitter: @sluttispaghettiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-cece/

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Until next time, Cin Cin!