Dr. Damien Wilson is an Australian native, and works with the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University, in California. His wine journey started with château cardboard, but progressed in conjunction with a 7-year stint in Burgundy, learning how much more fun Chardonnay can be when drunk out of a bottle, next to a gooey hunk of cheese and fresh bread.

Damien’s professional career grew from glass-washer, through wine steward, cellar-hand, sales representative and wine director, before research on wine consumption in Australia, France and the U.S. His focus in on the experience more than the wine in the glass. He has published or presented more than 100 times on the topic of wine consumers and business, and he recognizes the pre-eminence of B.C. wines in the global market.