Lauren King
Lauren King is the wine brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard Winemakers in Texas, based in Dallas. Originally from Northern California, wine has always been around her and while studying Hospitality Management at Cornell University, her career interests jumped from culinary arts to the wine industry and she eventually concentrated in Beverage Management. Before graduating, Lauren was able to earn her Introductory Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, was chosen to attend a blind tasting competition in Champagne and received the Banfi Scholastic Tour award for her wine achievements. Before obtaining her sought-after role with Pernod Ricard, Lauren worked in restaurants in New York and Florida and in fine wine retail in Los Angeles. She has traveled to multiple wine regions around the world to experience their terroirs including Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the US and she plans to visit many more to continue her education. She now holds her WSET Level 3 with Distinction and is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, earning the top score in her class. In her free time you can find Lauren baking, brewing beer, throwing pottery and getting active through hiking, yoga or HIIT workouts.
"I am beyond honored to receive the Fuel Your Dreams award for 2020. When I think back to who has helped me advance in my career in wine, the majority of the time it has been women - from my college professor to my manager/mentor to my WSET proctor and my fellow wine ambassadors around the world. And now, through WOTVS and Gallo, I am able to advance my career even further with this generous award. I cannot begin to thank the scholarship committee enough and I look forward to using this award as a way to give back to the future female wine professionals that come after me. Cheers!"