Vanessa Conlin is a Master of Wine residing in Napa Valley with a passion for communicating about wine in a way that is engaging, elevated, and inclusive.

She began her wine career in New York City as a wine buyer for two retailers and the wine director for a Manhattan wine bar. Drawn to the vineyards, she relocated to Napa Valley in 2010, where she held leadership roles as Director of Sales and Marketing for prestigious wineries, including Arietta Wines and Dana Estates. Vanessa later transitioned into the online space as Chief Wine Officer at Wine Access, where she remained for six years. Following that, she served as the Global Head of Wine Retail for Sotheby’s.

She is currently the North American Ambassador for Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, reviews Italy and Burgundy for Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW’s The Wine Palate, and consults on strategy and growth for luxury Napa wineries such as Dana Estates and Simon Family Estate.

An avid supporter of philanthropy, Vanessa serves on the Board of Jameson Humane, a local non-profit, and has chaired its annual charity wine auction twelve times. In 2024, she hosted Auction Napa Valley, supporting youth mental health initiatives in the region, and in 2025 she served as Auction Chair and Auctioneer for From Ashes to Hope, a charity event which raised funds for children and families impacted by California wildfires.

Prior to her passion for wine, Vanessa enjoyed a career as a professional opera singer, performing internationally and on Broadway. She holds a Master’s Degree in Music.