About
My name is Mary Cressler and this is my blog.
I am a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, writer, wine educator, and founder of Vindulge, Wine Education & Consulting — a wine consulting company focusing on enhancing the consumers wine experience through classes, seminars, private buying in addition to commercial consulting.
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I am a lover of all things wine, food, traveling, and running. I have worked in the wine industry in roles such as Tasting Room Manager, Event Coordinator and General Manager of a winery where I was involved in day to day operations, customer and employee service, marketing, direct and internet sales, distribution management, and staff training.
I started this blog in February of 2009 while studying to become a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, as a way of documenting all the new things I was learning about wine and honing in on my passion. I passed my exams in May of the same year and discovered that receiving my certification was just the beginning.
I combined my background in education with my passion for wine and founded Vindulge Wine Education & Consulting in hopes of sharing my knowledge with others who wish to learn about wine in a fun and approachable manner. I teach classes, lead events, write, and consult clients on anything from cellar management to restaurant wine lists. My writing has been featured in The Gorge Guide and Palate Press Online Wine Magazine, Snooth, Oregon Wine Press, and I have been a frequent tasting panelist and judge for numerous wine competitions. I also write a monthly food and wine column for VineSleuth Uncorked.
My life took a huge turn in 2010 when my husband and I relocated to New England and started a family. That experience allowed me to explore an entire new region of the country and opportunities to travel to several countries, including; Italy, Greece, France, Croatia, and Spain. We returned to Oregon in the summer of 2013 and I am thrilled to be back in the region where I began my career in wine and continue to teach and write.
When I’m not writing or teaching my clients about wine, you’ll likely find me running, cycling, cooking, exploring new wine regions, or playing with my twin boys and two small Chihuahua’s with my husband in the greater Pacific Northwest.
I hope you will join me on this journey as I continue to write about life with wine, food, travel, raising twins, and trying to balance it all.
Thanks for stopping by!
Selected Published Works
Perfect Party Wine: Sparkling Wine Under $20
Serious Eats, December 2013
Will Run for Wine
Oregon Wine Press, September 2013
Cognac, It’s All About the Barrels
Palate Press: The online wine magazine, December 2012
Dinner and Wine for $20 or Less (Ebook)
Contributor, January 2012
The Other Side of Terroir
Palate Press: The online wine magazine, September 2011
Award Winning Gorge Wines
Gorge Guide, 2010
Sparkling Wine Devotees Converge on New Orleans
Palate Press: The online wine magazine, May 2010
Wine Judging
Hudson Valley Wine Competetion, Judge, 2011
NorthWest Wine Summit, Wine Judge, 2010
Oregon Seafood & Wine Festival Wine Competition, Wine Judge, 2010
Oregon Seafood & Wine Festival Wine Competition, Wine Judge, 2009
Recent Speaking Engagements
International Wine Tourism Conference & Workshop, Presenter, 2013 (Zagreb, Croatia) — “The importance of staff training and development for your wine business”
International Wine Tourism Conference & Workshop, Presenter, 2012 (Perugia, Umbria, Italy) – “A Sense of Place: How to leverage your region and place to enhance the customer experience”
Wine Bloggers Conference, Presenter, 2011 (Charlottesville, VA, USA)– “Wine & Food Pairing: Finding Your Niche”
For more information about me please feel free to check out my bio on my website or contact me here anytime.
