I am an Italian Wine Ambassador with a specialisation in Barolo & Barbaresco, and WSET level 3 qualified.
Depending how you arrived here, you might be coming from the perspective of my work in Italian wine, or more from my occupation in walking tours and Italian travel in general.
These two spheres are where my work and interests overlap.
I grew up in England and graduated in History and English. I always loved food and the outdoors, especially cycling and walking.
My Italian connection only began after university, when work took me to La Spezia, in Liguria.
Keen to avoid ever leaving Italy, I changed careers and became an Italian walking tour guide. Over several years I managed walking routes in a number regions, including Tuscany, Liguria and Umbria.
It was during that time that my interest in wine turned from the amateur to the professional.
Cinzia and I bought Cuculo Cheese & Wine, where I built an excellent Italian portfolio alongside Cinzia’s cheese counters.
I subsequently gained professional qualifications to reinforce my knowledge of wine, and Italian wine in particular. These were WSET Levels 2 and 3, the Italian Wine Scholar and, most recently, Italian Wine Ambassador.
Friendships with important winemakers give me valuable insight and a unique perspective on the wine, culture and working traditions of the different regions.
The photo shows me, Cinzia and Marco Porello tasting Marco’s wine in his vineyard. 📷: Nigel Morley.
I became an Italian national in 2021, and these days we live in the magical Alpi Piemontesi, right where the plain and the mountains meet.
We still sell wine from all corners of Italy, and I really love hosting and presenting wine tastings, as well as writing about wine and the Italian wine regions.
MacNay Travel and Wine brings together all of my interests. The outdoors, food and wine – as well as Italy and its landscapes, people, culture and history.
All this means that I look forward to seeing you in Italy in the very near future.
