Sommelier and author Marnie Old is one of the country’s leading drinks experts and a breath of fresh air in the wine trade. She serves as director of vinlightenment for Boisset Collection, one of the world’s leading fine wine firms based in Burgundy and Napa Valley. She is best known for her ability to engage beginners and experts alike with powerful ideas of real-world relevance. Marnie’s refreshingly direct explanations of complex drinks concepts are driven by innovative simplifications, intuitive infographics and her engaging, articulate performances, always delivered in plain English, not geek-speak.

Marnie has written five books on wine and beer. Her influence as an educator has revolutionized how wine is taught worldwide, most notably through the award-winning Wine: A Tasting Course, an infographic introduction to wine published by DK and now in its second edition, which is so widely used for wine education gloablly that it has been translated into 17 languages. Her newest title, launched in 2018, is Passion for Wine: The French Ideal and the American Dream, was co-authored with the inimitable Burgundian vintner Jean-Charles Boisset.

Formerly the director of wine studies for Manhattan’s esteemed French Culinary Institute, Marnie also served as the founding education chairperson for the American Sommelier Association. Marnie first earned national acclaim in 1999 as beverage director for Philadelphia’s Meal Ticket restaurant group and sommelier for its flagship Striped Bass.

After launching her own business in 2001, Marnie designed wine programs for restaurants like Morimoto in Manhattan and consulted for the world’s largest wine retailer, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, as well as advising celebrities and government agencies on wine. A Canadian raised in Winnipeg and now based in Philadelphia, Marnie was a pioneer of online video and long-distance learning. Her bite-sized wine tutorials can be found on YouTube’s Wine Simplified channel and her Explaining Wines from Spain cartoons, commissioned by the Spanish government, feature animated wine-education designed for social media. In addition to travelling the world as an ambassador at large for Boisset Collection, she also writes for newspapers and magazines, including the Philadelphia Inquirer and Beverage Dynamics.

What do people say about Marnie?

“Marnie brings vibrant energy and a dynamic approach to illuminating the world of wine. She unites her extraordinary knowledge with appreciation for wine’s pleasures, and inspires passion for the magical elixir we adore so much.”
Jean-Charles Boisset – Franco-American Vintner and Boisset Collection proprietor

“Marnie is a breath of fresh air in the wine world.”
Michael Mondavi - California Vintner

“Marnie is one of the most efficient and entertaining wine educators in the US. I may be seen as an expert, but I learned a lot about wine in a whole different way reading her latest book.”
Kevin Zraly – Author of the best-selling The Windows on the World Wine Course

“Marnie knows what people want to drink before they do, and her instincts are as solid for the general public as they are for the foodie fringe.”
Stephen Starr – James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year / 2017

“[Marnie’s seminar] was stunning - truly brilliant. Just when everyone is afraid of hearing about vintages and "notes of barnyard and raspberries" that they'll never remember, she gave a talk that's completely accessible on just the topic that everyone wants to hear about - what to drink with dinner!”
Ina Garten – Food Network’s ‘Barefoot Contessa’

“Marnie is the ultimate sommelier: a fun and ‘get-it-done’ teacher who puts it all in plain language without losing the luster of the topic. She has a terrific palate with razor-sharp technical skills.”
Andrea Robinson – Master Sommelier & Author