Gillian Allen

Gillian is from Carlsbad, California with Sicilian roots, which is perhaps where for passion for wine stems from. Since studying winemaking in Burgundy, France in 2017, she has known she wanted to work in the wine industry. Gillian has since delved into every aspect of wine from production to wine writing, starting her own wine blog and even making her own wine.

Gillian received her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis with a minor in Economics. She knew she wanted to eventually land in wine business, but it was important for her to understand winemaking first. After working in production for three years at Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley, Gillian is now achieving her dream of living and studying in Paris. This fall she will attend the international university INSEEC Paris to get her Masters in Luxury Brand Management with a focus on fine wine. She is so thankful that she now has the support of the WOTVS Fuel Your Dreams Award to accomplish this goal.

I am honored to have been selected to receive the Fuel Your Dreams award. These funds will go towards completing my Masters in Luxury Brand Management at INSEEC University in Paris this fall. I am so thankful to the Women of the Vine and Spirits for helping me achieve my dream of living in France and studying wine business. It is wonderful to be supported by such a great group of women in the wine industry. I look forward to representing this amazing community on my next adventure, and I hope my story encourages women to achieve their goals in this industry just as I have been encouraged to achieve mine.