Melissa Vogt Facebook Instagram Twitter Title: Writer and Contributer Education: Humboldt State University, Sonoma State University Location: Santa Rosa, CA Melissa has been writing in the food and wine industry for more than a decade. As a freelance writer, she contributes to local and national publications. Her education offers specific expertise in California wine as a California Wine Appellation Specialist, and with her Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) certification at the Advanced Level 3. Melissa was the Deputy Editor for Robert Parker’s prestigious wine-review publication The Wine Advocate. She was also mentored by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble during her role as the Wine Communications Director at SommSelect, a wine subscription service co-founded by Cauble. Melissa brings with her an incredible passion for food and wine, and the fine products and brands that shape the industry. Experience With a background in the food and wine industry in writing, editing, communications, and content creation for more than a decade, Melissa Vogt has established herself as a food and wine veteran.Her career began in freelance writing about wine, spirits, and food in San Francisco. Following the receipt of her Masters in Rhetoric from Sonoma State University, Melissa began working and writing for well-known local publications and organizations such as Very Napa Valley, Master Sommelier Ian Cauble's SommSelect, Katie Hamilton Shaffer's Feast it Forward, and the Sonoma County Winegrowers. During her time at SommSelect as the Wine Communications Director, Melissa studied and tasted international wines and wrote about wine estates from around the world.Following her years in the local wine industry, Melissa took on the role of Deputy Editor at Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, the world's most prestigious wine review publication. At this role, she oversaw wine critic reviewers from around the world, editing thousands of wine reviews, and managed the publication. Melissa’s role also included writing for the Wine Journal blog on www.robertparker.com.As a freelance writer, Melissa currently contributes to local and national publications in the food and wine industry.Favorite Review:My favorite review is the 20 Best Wine Gift Baskets for 2022 because it took a lot of research to curate a list worthy of Food & Wine readers. I wanted to make sure all gift baskets included wines that were highly rated and came from reputable wine-growing regions.Favorite Purchase:One of my favorite purchases is a set of Schott Zwiesel wine glasses from Sur La Table. It's so important as a wine writer to have a high-quality collection of wine glasses to be able to assess and enjoy wine. Education Melissa’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Humboldt State University comes with an emphasis in Writing Practices, where she studied many forms of writing: research, creative, and journalism. Her Master of Arts Degree in Rhetoric from Sonoma State University lends itself to all writing contexts, where she writes with an effective, clear, and persuasive voice that entertains and informs. Melissa is a California Wine Appellation Specialist, hgaving studied at the San Francisco Wine Academy. Her expertise in California wine is comprehensive. She is also certified at the Advanced Level 3 through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a program she completed at the Napa Valley Wine Academy.Awards:www.mvfooddrink.com About Food & Wine Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. Learn more about us and our editorial process.