Public speaker, educator, business development manager, consultant (sales & marketing)

Diego Meraviglia was born and raised in Northern Piemonte, on the border with Switzerland and Lombardia, specifically on the shores of lake Maggiore. He has lived and travelled across a great portion of the world including Dubai.

Surrounded by wine since birth, his professional studies began in 2003 when he attended the 3-Level certified Sommelier school in Milano with the Italian Sommelier Association. Furthering his studies and training, he moved on to obtain the ‘Official Taster’ master qualification in early 2006 before relocating to Los Angeles (CA) that same year. He is one of the translators and re-writers of the AIS course-book ‘Food&Wine’, utilized throughout the world in Sommelier courses. In 2008, he obtained the 4th level ‘Gold pin’ certification with the AIS (Associazione Italiana Sommeliers) & WSA (Worldwide Sommelier Association) and began his training as teacher. Between 2008 and 2011, Diego Meraviglia became Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) with the Society of Wine Educators in the United States, as well as the certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers among other diplomas.

In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious international prize ‘AIS - Villa Sandi’, given to only 15 Sommeliers worldwide for “innovation in the profession of Sommelier”.

He is one of the founders of the North American Sommelier Association, of which he is the current President and Director Of Education. He has also worked the floor in numerous restaurants between Italy, Dubai and Los Angeles. Featured extensively in the industry and general press, he is now a freelance consultant for restaurants amongst which Trattoria Neapolis (Pasadena), teacher & VP & Director Of Education for NASA, professional freelance wine educator and Italian Imports Director for Winemonger, a boutique importer & distributor based in California.

In 2013 at the Worldwide Sommelier Association 'Best Sommelier in the world' competition, which took place in London (England), Diego Meraviglia ranked 5th. The competition involved 21 countries and 26 semi-finalists.

In February of 2017 Diego proudly became 'US Brand Ambassador' for DOM PÉRIGNON Champagne.

Aside from NASA and his freelance work, Meraviglia was also the Italian Wine Director for WINEMONGER, a boutique wine importer & distributor based in California, for which he also managed sales in the Los Angeles area.

An avid and prolific educator, he can be seen regularly around America & Canada as a freelance consultant, speaker, teacher and business development manager.

Meraviglia is passionate about archeology and ancient European history, with a focus on his native land's Celtic (Gaulish) heritage. He is the developer of the signature seminar "The Celts and wine : an archeological research into the deepest roots of European wine", for which he is currently designing a website. He also cooperates with various wineries, regions and consortiums in Italy, France, Spain & Portugal on the promotion and marketing of their wines in the U.S. market.

Bordeaux was the wine that inspired me to become a Sommelier in 2003 and I have carried & cherished that passion and inspiration ever since. I have always possessed a true visceral bond with the region, its people and the wines and thrive every day to spread that very same passion and knowledge of Bordeaux to as many people as possible.