Three Santa Clarita Valley Women Certified as American Wine Experts
After the completion of the American Wine Specialist course via the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), local Santa Clarita Valley residents Eve Bushman, Beth Greenwald and Danise Davis earned a “certification in the first globally-recognized course on American Wine.”
The trio had studied together before. In 2010 they obtained their Level 2 Intermediate Certificate in Wine and Spirits from the London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust Limited, in classes led by local wine educator DiMaggio Washington.
“I took the American Wine Specialist course for two reasons,” began Eve Bushman of Eve’s Wine 101. “For one, I had done a couple of wine judging stints and wanted to expand my knowledge by learning more about the different types of wines produced all over the U.S. Secondly, I thought it would contribute to my credibility as a wine writer.”
Wine aficionado Beth Greenwald commented, “While working in the industry (All Corked Up, The Cellar, Roman Holiday), I began my wine studies for personal knowledge and to better assist customers on their selection of wine.” Danise Davis, a wine expert and a local SCV-based realtor, added, “I’ve been interested in wines most of my adult life. After 2000, I started getting more serious and realized the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know. This class was surprisingly useful. Since completing the course, I’ve had numerous opportunities to utilize things I learned. I’ve traveled to Washington state, taken friends wine tasting in Santa Ynez, and poured at charity wine tastings ... Life is full of serendipity!”
According to the NASA’s website (www.nasommelier.com), the American Wine Specialist course “focuses on the upbeat, pioneering, adventurous frontier of American (USA) wine. From the East coast to the West coast…and everything in between.” It further states that the “American Wine Specialist certification, issued by the North American Sommelier Association, (is) recognized internationally by the Worldwide Sommelier Association (www.worldwidesommelier.com).”