Discover new routes into wine with our panel of industry insiders as they reveal the stories behind their unique career paths in the world of design, branding and product.
Event details
You don't need be making, selling or serving to work in the wine industry. Our new series will explore a variety of careers in wine, shining a spotlight on some of the lesser-known but incredibly exciting roles that are available in this dynamic industry. Each session will have a different focus, from design and branding, to tech and wine communication.
Each evening will start with a panel talk followed by a Q&A – have your questions ready! We'll finish the night with a glass of wine and the opportunity to meet the panellists and your fellow attendees.
Our first panel will provide expert insights into the intersection of wine and design. They will be discussing how they became involved in making bottles stand out on the shelf, where to start when creating a brand, and how eye-catching design is essential in bringing wine to new audiences.
Who should attend?
- You work in wine and are looking to learn more about the different roles in the industry
- You want to make a career change and move into the drinks industry
- You want to learn from and be inspired by industry leaders
- You'd like the opportunity to network with fellow wine industry professionals
Meet the panel
Laura Riches
Laura Riches is the co-founder of luxury boxed wine brand, Laylo. Since launching in November 2020 Laylo has released 14 critically acclaimed wines, featured regularly in the national press and been named Brand of the Future in the everywoman awards - selected from thousands of applicants by White Company founder Chrissie Rucker.
Prior to launching Laylo, Laura was the Marketing Director at Naked Wines, the UK's largest direct-to-consumer wine brand. During her tenure at Naked, Laura was responsible for record-breaking years of customer retention through a focus on customer engagement and storytelling.
Laura holds an MA (Cantab) in music from Cambridge, where she was a choral scholar. When she's not drinking, thinking or speaking about wine, Laura enjoys watching Opera Singer husband Ashley perform on stage. Laura's favourite wine is a Côte de Beaune Blanc from producer Joseph Drouhin
Harry Ballman
Harry found wine through pure ignorance. In his time studying his master’s in Maastricht in the Netherlands, he attended cellar auctions and bought wine on a measly student budget that was often older than him. It was captivating and humbling to know so little about something, he says.
Harry changed his career plans to pursue wine, originally planning to work a vintage in Central Otago in New Zealand, he stumbled across a junior sommelier job at the prestigious Wiltons in St James, London. Under the supervision of Yohann Pinol, a respected and experienced sommelier, Harry opened some of the world’s best wines in his tenure.
Since the summer of 2019, Harry has designed the wine and beverage lists for FOLIE, an all day French dining luxury brasserie in Soho in a Head of Drinks role which saw itself put into Wine List Confidential's top 100 wine lists.
Harry is the co-founder of Cépage, an online fine wine shop specialising in cellar curation, iconic bottles and private events.
He has been talked about in Seven Fifty Daily, Imbibe and Vogue as a pioneering and dedicated wine professional.
Miguel de Almeida
Miguel de Almeida is an award-winning luxury designer specialising in the wine and spirits’ sectors with over 20 years of design experience. His work includes projects for Diageo, LVMH and drink start-ups including the UK, US and Europe.
At the beginning of this year, he was commended by the World Brand Design Society for his work on The Wanderer, an Argentine Malbec available in several large UK supermarkets.
He has a Master of Arts in communication Design from Central St Martins, University of Arts London. His passion for wine and spirits that has led him to study for his WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines as well as French, Italian and Spanish Wine Scholar programmes.
Other sessions in this series:
- Part 2: Bytes and bottles (Monday 27 March)
- Part 3: Words, words, words (Monday 24 April)
The individual sessions cost £10, which includes a glass of wine and some snacks. You can save by booking all three together for £25.
Booking terms and conditions
Payment in full must be made at the time of booking and places are not confirmed until payment has been received. Unfortunately we cannot take provisional bookings.
Cancellations and transfers
- Cancellations and transfers can be made up to two weeks before the event.
- Cancellations within 10 working days are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another event.
- If you need to change a name on the booking, please give us as much notice as possible.
- WSET School London reserves the right to cancel an event. If necessary, a full refund or transfer will be offered.
Please note: The sample list and speaker/s may be subject to change.