In our latest episode of the GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Lauren McPhate about her journey through the IMW to become a Master of Wine, discussing what worked and what didn't in her approach to studying and examining. Lauren found wine through a career in accounting and finance that brought her to Hong Kong, where she managed the fine-wine startup House of Fine Wines. This inspired Lauren to further her wine studies, and she went on to work harvest in Burgundy while pursuing WSET certifications and working in multiple facets of the industry. Lauren returned to NYC after seven years in Asia to join Tribeca Wine Merchants and chase the Master of Wine credential. She has finished all testing portions of the MW exam, leaving only the research paper to complete.
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Lauren McPhate is a Partner at Tribeca Wine Merchants, a New York retailer specializing in terroir-driven wines from top producers. She leads wine purchasing, curates selections, and hosts tastings, while pursuing her Master of Wine accreditation as a Stage 3 candidate.
With a background in Accounting and Finance, Lauren left the U.S. during the financial crisis, teaching English in South Korea before moving to Hong Kong. There, she managed the startup House of Fine Wines, earning her WSET Advanced Certificate. She later joined Ginsberg+Chan Wine Merchants Asia as Communication and Events Manager, working a Burgundy harvest, attending En Primeur, judging at the China Wine Awards, and completing her WSET Diploma with distinction, winning the Wine Australia Scholarship.
Lauren returned to the U.S. to join Tribeca Wine Merchants, aiming for her MW title. In 2017, she earned the Constellation scholarship for the highest North American MW Stage 1 score. Outside of wine, she is a competitive runner (2020 Bhutan International Marathon winner), road cyclist, and travel enthusiast.
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