User:Mwangbickler

Michael Wangbickler, DWS, CWE is a wine public relations and marketing expert.

Michael brings a broad background in marketing communications and public relations, having held management positions in these areas at multiple companies in Northern California for the past 16 years. In addition, he has received extensive training from some of the top minds in the wine business. His credentials include the Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Sommelier Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and is a Certified Wine Educator. He has been a judge for various wine competitions, and has taught courses on wine and wine marketing at COPIA, Napa Valley College, Franciscan Winery, Tasting on Main, and in individual’s houses.

Michael is the Executive Director of the Academy of Wine Communications and currently holds the position of PR account manager at Balzac Communications and Marketing in Napa, California. He also serves on the Board of Advisers for the social media intelligence company Cruvee. Previously, Michael was at Franciscan Estates (part of Constellations Brands) where he was a wine educator/program specialist with responsibilities for trade relations and special events. Before that, he held management positions at three different companies in Silicon Valley, where he honed his public relations and marketing skills promoting computer hardware and software.

In his spare time he writes or contributes to two blogs: Caveman Wines and The Tawny Times

He resides with wife and son in the Sonoma, California. Michael holds a B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University.