Episode 139 - Dr. Miray Seward, Researcher and Consultant

This episode features Dr. Miray Seward, a researcher and consultant who developed her love for wine while living in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia with more than ten years of experience conducting mixed-methods research and evaluation. Currently, she works as a Research Scientist at an applied research firm where she leads research and evaluation projects focused on supporting youth development, but while completing her doctorate degree in Charlottesville, she spent many weekends visiting local wineries, primarily in the Monticello and Shenandoah Valley AVAs. We talk about how she was drawn to and motivated to learn more about wine because of the warm, open, and welcoming Virginia wine community. She later began her formal entry into wine by joining the Roots Fund, which provided her with a scholarship to pursue her WSET level 1. Since then, she has taken and passed her WSET levels 1 and 2 with distinction, hosted the Oenoverse wine club, served as a curator for the Two Up Wine Down festival, and more! Most recently, Miray joined the leadership team for the Veraison Project, where she serves as the Director of Data and Insights. This role allows her to bring together her expertise and passion for research and wine. Through this role, she aims to help ensure the organization systematically collects meaningful data about its programs and events. Miray is also available to provide consulting support to wine organizations, brands, and companies needing research or coaching support. October is Virginia Wine month, so it was an honor to have her on the show and hear how the Virginia wine industry continues to inspire her wine journey and foster community. You can follow her insights @curlsncorks on Instagram.

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Recorded October 23, 2024