I'm from Berkeley, CA and the more I travel, the more I appreciate where I come from. Up until quitting my job in order to travel the world, I had been working in the wine industry and always explore the local wines, spirits, and foods wherever I'm visiting. I got the the travel bug early on and have loved getting to visit countries throughout Europe, Asia, Central, and South America.

I travel light and keep it simple. I like to use wherever I'm staying as a resting place, a little refuge to come back to when the jet lag hits. I don't normally spend much time where I'm staying as I'm checking out as many restaurants and food markets as I can.

I lived in France a couple of times. The first was to learn the language and the second was to make wine there. I ended up getting my university degree in the science of grapegrowing and winemaking and have worked in California wine industry for the past 10 years.

I quit my job to travel the world, open my mind, meet new people, discover lots of great food, and one day come back with plenty of stories to share.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Today, I've only Couchsurfed a little, but am looking forward to doing lots more as I always appreciate meeting people from all over the world. I love to get the local insider's perspective on wherever I'm visiting, and hopefully get to practice my language skills as well!

Interests

• writing
• books
• photography
• cooking
• cocktails
• coffee
• yoga
• eating out
• podcasts
• live music
• jazz
• swimming
• storytelling
• ping pong

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, E.S.T., Art Blakey, Michel Camilo, Mahler, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven

Movies: The Best of Youth, After the Wedding, The Lives of Others, The Graduate

TV: The Wire, Slings & Arrows, Mad Men, The Sopranos, In Treatment

Books: East of Eden, The Tender Bar, A Suitable Boy, Motherless Brooklyn, Heat, Garlic and Sapphires

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2008, I got to work alongside the winemaker of a small winery in Burgundy, France, helping to harvest and make truly delicious Pinot Noir.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like to teach about wine, food, and the English language and always love to learn more about local foods, farms, art, music, and language.

I'm always happy to share my insider's knowledge on food, wine, and nature in the SF Bay Area.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation (if we can speak the same language!), ideas, enthusiasm, wine knowledge, enjoying cooking together

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States