Episode 81 - Mason Washington, German Wine Entrepreneur and Founder of LELIYG

This episode features Mason Washington, a certified specialist of wine through the society of wine educators paving the way through Germany and German wines. Born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, he moved to Raleigh/Durham for the beginning of his career, but is now based in ATL. He got his start in wine at age 20 working in various country clubs and hotels, but he didn't grow up around wine and confesses that he actually hated the taste of wine initially! He knew, however, that if he wanted to go farther in the wine industry that he would need to hustle, study, taste, and sacrifice time to it in order to grow out of his comfort zone and accept any challenge ahead. As he then maneuvered his way through the industry, he had to figure out a purpose for what he wanted to do in wine because he says everything he does in life has to have a purpose, and having that strength in purpose will cause him not to quit. So, during the pandemic, he started exploring how German wine could help him pay tribute back to his German heritage as both his mom and his grandma passed when he was at a young age. Now, his primary focus is on German wine solely and to uplift it in the USA. We talk about how he is also mixing wine and music by teaching it through the lyrics. He just announced some exciting news about a new project...so follow @leliyg_wine on social media to follow along for his upcoming endeavors.

Recorded July 17, 2022