Alessandra Esteves is the co-founder and Director of Wine Education for the Florida Wine Academy. She is a WSET Certified Educator and holds the WSET Level 4 (Diploma) in Wines & Spirits. She also has the French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar and a Champagne Master Level by the Wine Scholar Guild, the Master of Rioja DOCa certification, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and the WSET Level 1 in Sake. She is currently a Stage 2 candidate for the Masters of Wine certification. Mrs. Esteves is also the co-founder of Miami Champagne Week, 305Wines, and VinoSummit, the first conference dedicated to wine professionals in Florida. Mrs. Esteves’ articles on wine and related subjects have been published in books and magazines in different countries. Mrs. Esteves has also served as an Associate Judge at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. More recently, Ms. Esteves participated as a Competition Judge at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention & Exposition and as a Wine Judge for the American Fine Wine Competition. Previously, Ms. Esteves practiced as a corporate lawyer in Brazil and Germany, having joined the Brazilian Bar Association in 2000. She is fluent in Portuguese, German, English, Italian, and Spanish; and has acquired a primary proficiency in French.

Guilherme “William” de Macedo is the Co-founder and Managing Partner for the Florida Wine Academy. Guilherme has a BA and MBA in Business Administration and has worked in the Chemical industry for almost 20 years. His professional career led him to work in Europe, Latina America and Central America and he is fluent in 4 languages. At the Florida Wine Academy, he is responsible for the Sake Education Program. Guilherme is a Master Sake Sommelier (MSS) by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA). He is also a WSET Certified Sake Educator (levels 1, 2 and 3). He is an International Kikisake-Shi, Japanese Sake Adviser by the SSI (Sake Service Institute) and WSET Level 3 Sake Certified. He is also a Certified Sake Professional by the Sake Education Council. Additionally, he has the WSET Level 1 in Spirits, Court of Master Sommelier Level 1 and passed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits with distinction.

Rebecca Hodges is the Student Services Coordinator and a WSET Wine Educator for the Florida Wine Academy. Rebecca developed a passion for education while living in Singapore and teaching English to Japanese businesspeople and their families. With a desire to understand more about how people learn and retain knowledge, she undertook a master’s in psychology at University College London (UCL). After graduating, she worked as a researcher for a psychology lab that aims to promote the wellbeing of university students and staff. Over the last few years Rebecca has been lucky enough to explore the vineyards on the doorstep of her family home in Sussex, England. Time spent talking to winemakers and local retailers, as well as helping with harvests whenever possible, ignited her fascination with wine. She decided to pursue this interest and completed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine with Florida Wine Academy. Eager to expand her knowledge when it comes to sparkling wine in particular, Rebecca is currently working towards the Champagne Master Level by the Wine Scholar Guild.

Carolina Gonzalez is the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Florida Wine Academy. She is a certified WSET Level 3 in Wines with distinction, and a WSET Level 1 in Sake. Carolina is also a Spanish Wine Scholar with the Wine Scholar Guild.  She graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in English Literature and Art History. From there she went on to become an Art Consultant, working for many years in the Contemporary Art world. Carolina’s love of wine and interest in its history sparked her journey to become an accredited Wine Scholar with the Florida Wine Academy. After years as a student she established The Epic Experience, a boutique wine consultancy service that provides curated tastings and experiences. Carolina believes that wine should be a unique journey of discovery and exploration to wine lovers of all levels and backgrounds. Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in The Bahamas, Carolina is fluent in both Spanish and English

HENRY BRIMO, DipWSET, MW candidate

Henry Brimo is a wine professional based in Florida, with extensive experience across multiple facets of the wine industry. He currently serves as the Wine Category Manager for Southeastern Grocers. Additionally, Henry is a WSET Wine Educator at the Florida Wine Academy. Previously, Henry held the role of Lead Sommelier and Wine Buyer at Abaco Wines & Wine Bar, a luxury wine shop in the Miami Design District.

Henry is a stage 2 candidate for the Master of Wine (MW) qualification, he holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and the Master-Level Bourgogne certification from the Wine Scholar Guild. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and an MBA with a concentration in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics from Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship.

KRISTINA SAZAMA, DipWSET, MW candidate

Kristina is a WSET Wine Educator levels 1-3 for the the Florida Wine Academy. Kristina first discovered her passion for wine while entertaining clients during a decade on Wall Street. Since leaving the world of finance behind, Kristina has pursued her interest in wine while working at Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York City, Michael Skurnik Wines and a few champagne houses. She is currently the Wine Educator for Santa Margherita USA. Kristina holds the WSET Diploma of Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers. When not indulging her passions for eating and drinking, Kristina can be found in vineyards all over the world preparing for the Master of Wine examinations.

LYN FARMER, DipWSET

Lyn Farmer is a WSET Certified Wine Educator levels 1-3 for the the Florida Wine Academy. He is a James Beard Award-winning wine and food writer, broadcaster and arts educator. He is the author of the Engaging the Senses blog on this site, as well as director of VeritageMiami, one of Florida’s most successful charity wine events benefitting United Way of Miami-Dade. Additionally, Lyn leads seminars for many Italian, French and Portuguese trade groups and he has been a judge at international wine competitions.

NICOLE BRIZ, WSET Level 3 in Wines

Nicole Briz has always had a passion for food and wine, leading her to explore various roles in the culinary and beverage industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and has worked in advertising for Coke Zero, managed sponsor relations for the South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festivals, and organized exclusive chef’s table events. Nicole’s love for wine was ignited during a semester abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, where her first wine tasting introduced her to the world of wine. Since then, she has explored vineyards, studied wine regions and varietals, and pursued formal education, earning her WSET Level 3 certification. She is also a wine consultant and speaker. Drawn to the blend of history, agriculture, science, and art in winemaking, Nicole continues to share her passion for wine. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, reading, savoring good food, and listening to music.