Erica’s passion for wine developed in 1995 when she moved to New Zealand, which led to her completing a one-year, full-time Polytechnic course in viticulture and vinification http://www.tairawhiti.ac.nz/. The college has its own vineyards and winery, so the course followed a complete annual cycle of the vine, starting with pruning through to bottling and labelling the wine a year later. She also gained work experience at other vineyards and wineries in New Zealand.

Upon returning to the UK Erica started studying for her Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®) qualifications gaining the Diploma in 2003. Following a backbreaking stint at the International Wine Challenge, for which she now judges; she then worked for five years as the WSET’s PR and Events Manager.

Erica, now running her own company Wine and Sign, teaches WSET qualification courses, Levels 1 to 3, for the WSET’s flagship School in London, and at other centres.

Erica is a member of the WSET Certified Educators scheme and runs wine appreciation tastings and courses for wine groups, corporate entertaining, staff training, and much more.

Erica is also an experienced presenter in the tasting theatres at the shows.

Erica has her Level 2 British Sign Language certificate runs wine tasting events for users of British Sign Language.