Lars Leicht is VP of education for The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazine. A former news reporter in Oneonta, NY, his passion for Italian culture lured him to the wine business. Over a 37-year career in the wine industry he held various leadership roles in sales, marketing, and public relations, working and living in the U.S., Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and Asia. A frequent speaker at sommelier conferences, seminars and webinars, cooking schools, and culinary universities, he appeared in the movie Somm II: Into the Bottle. He has guided scores of scribes, wine lovers, and professionals through vineyards, wineries, and food destinations in Italy, including scholarship trips with SommFoundation and SommSouth. As founder and de facto “dean” of Cru Artisan College, he has brought Italian winemakers on barnstorming trips across the U.S. for insightful seminars and exceptional tastings. (Hunington, NY) @larsleicht