TRACY WALDRON, DWS
WSET Certified Educator — Wines and Spirits
Tracy Waldron is a wine, spirits, sake, and hospitality expert, with more than 25 years’ experience in all aspects of the beverage and hospitality trade.
She is one of only a few hundred WSET Certified Educators for both wines and spirits in the US, a French and Spanish Wine Scholar, Sherry Wine Specialist, Certified Sake Professional, and Diploma-holder in Single Malt Whisky.
Tracy spent more than a decade in Napa Valley where she worked as a Sommelier for two Michelin-starred restaurants; was Director of Sales, Marketing and Hospitality for an iconic luxury winery; and eventually began making wine for her own label, Analog Wine Co. She then traveled extensively throughout the wine, spirits, and sake regions of Europe, the Middle East, and Japan as Director of a NYC-based import and distribution company.
In 2017, Tracy turned her attention to educating future beverage industry leaders when she returned to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. As the owner of the Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy, she crafts engaging seminars for corporations, universities, and individual enthusiasts; teaches professional certifications for restaurants, retailers, wineries, distilleries, and distributors; and acts as a restaurant beverage program consultant.
Cross-certified in Perfumery and Chocolate-making, and with a university science degree, Tracy shares knowledge in ways that are unique to each student’s current perspective, but always grounded in the science of sensory perception as it applies to tasting. Click here to explore Tracy’s speaking engagements and educational presentations.
Certifications
WSET Certified Educator – Wines and Spirits
WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines & Spirits (DWS)
Cornell University — Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits with Distinction
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Distinction
French Wine Scholar with Highest Honors (FWS)
Spanish Wine Scholar with Highest Honors (SWS)
Edinburgh Whisky Academy — Diploma in Single Malt Whisky
Stave and Thief Society - Certified Executive Bourbon Steward
The Council of Whiskey Masters — Certified Scotch Professional (CSP)
Certified Sherry Wines Specialist with Highest Honors (CSWS)
Japanese Sake Education Council — Certified Sake Professional (CSP)
Society of Wine Educators — Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)
Gabe Routh,
WSET Level 3 Wines Certified
Gabe Routh is a wine professional passionate about raising awareness of Virginia’s industry. He has worked with VAWSA for 5 years as a first point of contact for the entire student body, and as an instructor he assists Tracy’s vision of expanding wine knowledge throughout the state. With a passion for research, his ongoing studies include exploring the cultural influences and production techniques that have developed around the world to craft alcoholic beverages.
His love of Virginia’s wines has led to state-wide exploration and research for nearly a decade, learning the methods winemakers and vineyard workers have developed to create quality wines that showcasing region. He has deepened his knowledge of Virginia’s unique terroir while working in winemaking and vineyard management, and his hands-on experience has helped to produce award winning wines.
Gabe is dedicated to promoting a diverse and sustainable wine industry. His belief is that a variety of viewpoints and winemaking approaches will allow for a robust industry to develop as Virginia continues to define its identity as a region. He aims to share his knowledge with students in accessible and easily applicable ways, regardless of their experience level. His extensive knowledge of production techniques and their historical context allows students to develop a respect for wine as a product deeply rooted in culture.
Certifications:
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Distinction
EWA Certificate in Scotch Whisky
EWA Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey
Upcoming Events & Courses