Annette Alvarez-Peters is the founder of annette a.p. Wine and Spirits, a consultancy business focused on business development and merchandising strategies for the wine and spirits industry.

Annette sits on the Board of Directors for Crimson Wine Group, a portfolio which engages in the production and sale of luxury wines and MISA Imports, a global importer and distributor for wine and spirits. In addition, she is involved and serves as a Mentor with non-profit organization Wine Unify, an organization to promote and celebrate diversity in the wine industry and involved with the Batonnage Forum Mentorship program as the Head of Industry Area of Focus for Retail, an organization designed to stir up conversations about equality and forward progress for women in wine.
Annette previously held a 37 year career with Costco Wholesale - including 25 years in the beverage alcohol department, where she led the buying team for the USA. Annette retired in 2020 as Asst. Vice President / GMM.
Alvarez-Peters was named as a top leader in the wine industry by M. Shanken Communications, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Decanter. She holds the Diploma certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, along with a Certified Wine Educator certificate from Society of Wine Educators. Annette has been inducted into the following associations: Bordeaux’s Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc; Champagne’s Ordre des Coteaux des Champagne and Chateauneuf du Pape Echansonnerie des Papes.

Amy Karasavas is the founder and sommelier of That Pour Woman located in Brooklyn, NY. Her company offers public and private wine tastings and classes. She is currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate. In addition, she has received her sommelier certification with distinction from the Sommelier Society of America along with her WSET Level 3 certification with distinction.

Amy worked at the neighborhood boutique shop Blanc et Rouge Wine & Spirits in Brooklyn, NY for two and a half years. Her experiences lie in wine education, blind tasting training, and the ins and outs of wine retail. Amy has traveled to some of the world’s famous wine regions to enhance her education like France, Portugal, Italy, Chile, Greece, and the USA.

Cara is a wine professional who has worked at the highest tiers of hospitality and is known for her relaxed style of wine education under her motto "Drink for Yourself”--a reminder that regardless of the trends and fads of the beverage world, the most important thing is what makes YOU happy. Cara has a long history in service and leadership and is a regular panelist, moderator and contributor at wine publications and events, including Guest Sommelier roles at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, LA Food & Wine, La Paulée, La Tablée, and Meals on Wheels Gala. Cara also worked as a fine wine sales consultant in boutique wine retail and for many years as a luxury Champagne Specialist for Moët Hennessy. In San Francisco, she was Lead Sommelier at Hakkasan and won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2013, simultaneously overseeing the $3MM cellar of Bright Wine Fund & Michelin Three-Star restaurant Saison as Cellarmaster, which received the Wine Spectator Grand Award under her tenure. Cara dreamed of owning her own business from the early days of her career, and DECANTsf is the storied realization of her passion and experience.

Follow Cara on Instagram @carapatriciaSF.

Erin Coburn founded and co-owned minimo, a wine shop + wine bar in Oakland, California specializing in small-production natural wines. Open from 2015-2025, minimo served as a community gathering space centered around inclusivity and accessibility. Prior to opening minimo, Erin worked in museums for 20 years, holding executive level positions leading digital media and institutional digital strategy. Erin’s experience in wine retail ranges from starting your own business (including business systems and financial management) to wine buying, staffing and training, social media and marketing, and community building and engagement. Erin is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals traditionally underrepresented in the wine industry. She’s a proponent of natural wine; organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices; and obscure wine regions and lesser known grape varieties.

Sarah Pierre is a dynamic entrepreneur, community leader, and mentor with a deep-rooted passion for wine, hospitality, travel, and advocacy. As the owner of the celebrated 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta, which she has successfully operated since 2013, Sarah has cultivated a loyal clientele by offering personalized wine selections and hosting curated events, from intimate tastings to large-scale corporate gatherings.

Before launching her wine shop, Sarah honed her skills working and managing high-profile restaurants in Atlanta and New York City, combining her passion for food and wine with a deep commitment to exceptional customer service. Her hands-on experience in the hospitality industry has uniquely positioned her as a leading voice in the world of food and beverage.

As a graduate of WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits, a WSET Certified Educator, and Certified Sommelier, Sharon shares her passion for wine and education with her community in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a mentor to many students working toward various certifications, she hosts blind tastings, service practice, and a weekly theory review.   She helps identify the opportunities to learn and grow, with confidence there is no ‘failing’.   She hosts wine education classes and events for enthusiasts and students and is now opening a wine shop that offers more than just a location to purchase a glass or a bottle.  Savoir on Central is an immersive wine experience where you can come for a glass and stay for a class.  Every glass tells a story.  What’s in your glass?

Steffini Bethea is the proud owner of The Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room, the oldest Black-owned wine shop in metro Atlanta. For over 13 years, she has cultivated a welcoming space for wine lovers, thoughtfully curating an extensive and diverse collection that reflects her global wine travels and deep industry knowledge.

A certified wine expert with numerous credentials, Steffini is a trusted figure in the wine community—celebrated not only for her palate but for her passion for educating others and making wine approachable. Her journey through vineyards across the world continues to inform and inspire the offerings at The Purple Corkscrew, where every bottle tells a story.

Stevie Stacionis is a community, resiliency and brand galvanizer offering content, strategy, education and inspiration to wine and hospitality brands. She lives to stir the pot, inspire joy and cultivate community. Stevie and her husband own the Michelin-recommended MAMA Oakland restaurant, and they founded, operated and successfully sold two nationally acclaimed Bay Area wine shops and bars. Stevie also co-founded the non-profit Bâtonnage Forum for women in wine.  

Stevie writes the Resilient Wine Substack, advocating for a more inclusive, pragmatic and holistic course forward for the wine industry at large. She is also the author of a forthcoming memoir and manifesto about how drinking wine can save the world.

Through her writing, speaking, events and education work, Stevie has gleaned a reputation for being one of the wine industry’s most progressive thought-leaders in the sustainability, regeneration and resiliency spaces. She has a particular knack for thoughtful debate, for a graceful consideration of both sides of an argument, and for putting forth her opinions with conviction, poise and humaneness.