Joe's wine education includes the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma, the Certified Sommelier qualification from the Court of Master Sommeliers - Europe, and the Wine & Spirits MBA from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon, France.  Joe began his journey with the WSET in 2020, achieving a perfect score in the Level 1 Award in Wines and passing Levels 2 and 3 with Distinction.  Joe is currently a candidate for the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW) program and is preparing for the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Advanced Sommelier qualification. Joe also received top marks completing the rigorous programs through the Wine Scholar Guild, including the French Wine Scholar (Highest Honors), Italian Wine Scholar (Honors), Spanish Wine Scholar (Honors), and Sherry Wine Scholar (Highest Honors). ​ Joe dedicates himself to his pursuit of educating others and democratizing wine while staying committed to his core principles of Honor and Integrity.  Joe leads wine education, social media content creation, and the 500 Wineries Blog.

Gris was born and raised in Mexico, where she lived until when she started her professional life. She’s lived and worked in twelve countries, speaks three languages fluently and is learning German. She's worked in high-tech industries, from oil and gas to cyber security. She's a product manager at Google and a Co-Founder at the Zürich Wine Academy.  Her multicultural experience has taught her that in order to truly understand and appreciate a new culture it’s necessary to experience and enjoy food and wine, because they are two universal concepts that occur everywhere around the world and yet are so different. They tell so much about the history, social transformation and economic dynamics of a place. Griselda is passionate about building and delivering experiences that connect people with new cultures through the art of wine making. Gris leads the product and business development for the Zürich Wine Academy.

Nic hails from London, and has lived in Berlin, the San Francisco Bay area, Washington DC, and for the last few decades in Zürich. His formal wine education had to wait until he retired from a 30-year career as a professor of materials science at ETH Zurich. His decision to pursue wine qualifications came during an unfortunately timed visit to Mendoza in 2020, which led to an unexpected two months of lockdown in a winery. Following his rescue from Argentina by the UK Government, he set about studying for WSET exams, first in Switzerland and subsequently with the Austrian Wine Academy in Rust, where he received his DipWSET (with merit) and Weinakademiker qualification (with distinction). Nic’s scientific career involved research into the chemistry of surfaces, as well as friction and lubrication, all of which turn out to be crucial for an understanding of wine mouthfeel. Nic now spends some of his time researching the subtle interactions between wine, saliva, and the tongue at Imperial College, London, where he is a visiting professor. Teaching materials science students was a rewarding part of Nic’s career at ETH, and teaching wine enthusiasts and professionals at Zürich Wine Academy is something he does with passion and great enjoyment.

After completing his master’s degree in history and geography, Julian had planned on becoming a teacher in these two subjects before he caught the wine bug and decided to pursue a career in this field in 2019. Since then, he completed his WSET Level 3 and WSET Diploma. He is currently working as a buyer and product manager for a wine import company in Zürich.While he could not be happier with his job as a professional wine buyer, he never let go of the idea of being able to follow his original idea of teaching people. With Zürich Wine Academy he found the perfect place to combine his two passions by teaching WSET courses.Julian is a passionate amateur cook, and his happy place is at a full table with many wine friends. He is crazy about Jerez, Riesling, Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.

Matteo is Italian, and a passionate beverage expert with a unique blend of scientific knowledge and practical experience. With over a decade of bartending behind the bar in London and Zurich, he has developed a deep understanding of spirits and cocktails. Currently pursuing a degree in Food Science and Technology, Matteo combines his scientific expertise with his love for spirits. He is a certified WSET Level 3 Spirits professional and has honed his sensory skills through IBD courses. His goal is to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with others, making complex chemistry concepts accessible and engaging. By understanding the science behind the spirit, you can truly appreciate the artistry of the cocktail.

Lilla brings a wealth of wine expertise and education to the table—both literally and figuratively. As a Certified Champagne Educator, Certified Sommelier, and WSET Educator, she blends professional qualifications with a genuine passion for teaching. A Spanish Wine Specialist and a soon-to-be Rioja educator (currently in training), Lilla believes wine isn’t about innate talent—it’s about teachable skills and knowledge. And as she likes to say: “Passion adds depth and flavor to everything — especially to wine.” For the past six years, she has taught Enology, Wine & Spirits, and Fine Dining Service in several hospitality business schools around Lake Lucerne. Today, she is co-founding her own Sommelier School in collaboration with the German-Swiss Sommelier Association—an initiative that promises to be as forward-thinking as it is authentic. Lilla is particularly passionate about Champagne and sparkling wines, and she excels in food & wine pairing—a skill she brings to both her teaching and her work as Corporate Head Sommelier for an international hotel group. She also leads a Sommelier Tasting Group, where actively working sommeliers come together twice a month to refine their palates in a professional, yet collegial setting. Originally from Hungary, Lilla spent much of her life in the U.S.—living and working in Florida, California, Maine, and Washington, D.C.—before moving to Lucerne eight years ago. Today, she continues to bring that international perspective into every glass she pours and every lesson she leads.

Born and raised in Germany, Max moved to Switzerland for work over a decade ago and immediately fell in love with the country's pristine nature and the bustling metropolis of Zurich. Although he grew up near the renowned Rheinhessen wine region, his true passion for wine only ignited during the Covid lockdown. What began as curiosity soon turned into a dedicated path of study, leading him to earn certifications in WSET 2, WSET 3, and the Italian Wine Scholar. A child of the internet with a lifelong fascination for technology and complex systems, Max built his career as an IT consultant and solution architect. This same curiosity guides his perspective on wine: as a finely tuned production system where every step matters, as a living expression of history and culture, as a multi-sensory experience; and, of course, as a delicious beverage. Max is always on the lookout for intriguing grapes, distinctive wines, and unexpected pairings — from hidden gems to experimental releases to perfect food matches. He shares some of his explorations and journeys on his blog cloudandcabernet.com. Beyond wine, he also has a soft spot for whisky, particularly the smoky malts of Islay. The only thing Max enjoys more than learning is sharing his knowledge and helping others thrive, with clients and with fellow wine enthusiasts alike. At the Zurich Wine Academy, he brings his comprehensive understanding of wine and his structured teaching style to the Wine Scholar Program, giving future students both a solid foundation of knowledge and a newfound appreciation for the world’s most revered liquid.

Sophie’s curiosity for wine started early, nurtured by childhood travels through Europe's wine regions with her parents, often stopping at local wineries along the way. In 2024, she decided to formalize her passion by documenting her journey through a wine blog and diving headfirst into wine education. That same summer, she completed WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3, all with distinction, and hasn’t looked back since. Eager to keep learning in a field where the discovery never ends, Sophie went on to complete the French Wine Scholar in 2025, also with distinction. She also created the Zurich Wine Academy Community, where she now channels her passion into connecting fellow wine lovers through events and, one day, hopes of hosting wine focused travel experiences. At the Zurich Wine Academy, she found the perfect platform to share her excitement and knowledge of wine while inspiring others. Sophie is particularly drawn to the lesser-known wine regions and loves uncovering hidden gems that deserve a place in the spotlight.

As a French native who grew up immersed in the rich wine cultures of Paris, Champagne, and Burgundy, Anaïs developed an early and profound appreciation for the art of winemaking. This passion led to a formal education in Agricultural Engineering, where the foundation of her wine knowledge was built. However, rather than following the traditional path into winemaking, she found her true calling in the world of marketing within the wine and spirits industry. With over 8 years of experience working for one of the world’s top three global wine and spirits companies, Anaïs has honed her expertise in brand management and marketing strategies, bringing an insider’s perspective to the wine industry. Her career has taken her across multiple countries, where her curiosity led her to explore vineyards in the most unexpected places. From the emerging wine regions of Myanmar to the unique vineyards of Japan, Anaïs has always sought to uncover the lesser-known stories of the wine world. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth, Anaïs holds the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine. Additionally, she has earned both the French and Spanish Wine Scholar certifications, further solidifying her expertise in these regions. She is also a Certified Sake Sommelier, expanding her knowledge beyond wine to the world of Japanese sake traditions. At the Zurich Wine Academy, Anaïs brings her extensive knowledge and passion to the Wine Scholar Program, where she guides students through the complexities of wine with a unique blend of technical understanding, market insight, and global perspective.

Lorenzo is a proud Roman by origin and a Veterinary Neurologist by academic formation, but his true passion has always been the world of wine. From an early age, he cultivated a deep curiosity for vineyards, terroirs, and winemaking traditions, which led him to pursue formal studies in the field. His professional journey in wine began in 2019 in Manchester, UK, where he earned the prestigious WSET Level 3 Award in Wines under the mentorship of Master of Wine candidate Anna Jarosz. Driven by excellence and an appetite for mastery, Lorenzo joined the Zurich Wine Academy in 2022 under the lead of Joe Benvenuto, Dipl WSET and Master of Wine student. Since then, he has achieved remarkable distinctions: French Wine Scholar and Spanish Wine Scholar both with Honor, and the crown jewel, the Italian Wine Scholar, awarded with the Highest Honor. Today, Lorenzo proudly represents a renowned winery in Ticino as a Wine Ambassador, bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to a wider audience. He also shares his knowledge as an instructor of the French Wine Essentials program, inspiring others to discover the culture, science, and pleasure that wine has to offer. Lorenzo continues to evolve, driven by passion, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in every bottle and every story behind the wine, mainly interested in small local producers with a strong expertise in natural or biodynamic wines.

Brodi has been immersed in the world of wine since he was a young pup. It's safe to say that he was born into the wine industry. He has had the opportunity to visit more wineries than most humans, and has rated over 300 wineries throughout his life. Because of him, the team visits mostly wineries that are Pet Friendly, and he has developed his own rating methodology.  Brodi particularly enjoys visiting wineries with vineyards, where he can run, play with sticks, and drink the water that is infused with the same soil that helps produce the wine. Despite his lifelong exposure to wine culture, Brodi has remained sober.