Italian Wine Podcast Ep. 2370 Barbara Fitzgerald interviews May Matta-Aliah of In The Grape Inc | Masterclass US Wine Market
Welcome to Episode 2370 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews May Matta-Aliah of In The Grape Inc.
Key takeaways:
- How to bridge tradition with contemporary relevance in brand storytelling.
- Adapting wine marketing strategies to meet the demands of a changing consumer landscape.
- The strategic thinking behind the creation of the Ambassador Wall and its role in brand visibility.
More about the guest: May Matta-Aliah
With nearly two decades of experience, May Matta-Aliah is a respected voice in the New York City wine and spirits scene. She represents leading wine regions and brands as an educator and ambassador, bringing depth, clarity, and charisma to every seminar and presentation she leads. Her work spans industry training, high-profile conferences, and consumer-facing events—always with a passion for translating complex topics into engaging, relatable stories.
May is a long-time instructor at the International Wine Center, and holds some of the industry's highest credentials: the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits, Advanced Sommelier certification, and the title of Italian Wine Ambassador with the Vinitaly International Academy.
Connect:
Website: https://www.inthegrape.com/
More about the host: Barbara Fitzgerald
With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries.
As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.
Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/
Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com
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