Spreti Valente (Website)

Spreti Valente, CS

Wine Competition Management

Event Coordination & Promotion

Wine Consulting

about spreti

Passionate about the world of wine and dedicated to promoting its excellence, I have made it my mission to promote wineries, to their enthusiasts. With a solid background as a certified sommelier and 15 years of experience as a wine buyer in the retail industry, I possess a deep understanding of wine selection, market dynamics, and consumer preferences.

Since 2013, I have had the privilege of serving as a wine judge, both in the USA and Europe. This invaluable experience has allowed me to refine my palate and expand my knowledge of global wine trends. In 2017, I was honored to be appointed Chief Judge at the prestigious Pacific Rim Wine Competition, a position I currently hold. Most notably, in 2021, I made history as the first woman and Latina Chairperson of the oldest wine competition in the United States, the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. This milestone underscores my commitment to fostering diversity and promoting excellence within the industry.

As the Manager of Wine Competitions, I play a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating these renowned events. From vetting and hiring esteemed wine judges to ensuring the seamless execution of competitions, I am dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. In addition to my on-site presence, I travel extensively, both domestically and internationally, to promote and raise awareness about these esteemed wine competitions and the benefits to wineries.

To further amplify the reach and impact of the wine competitions, I actively engage in online marketing initiatives. Leveraging my expertise in marketing and branding, I collaborate with wineries to develop compelling both online and print marketing materials and effective social network promotions. I help wineries gain visibility and recognition in the competitive market by creating marketing materials to showcase their offerings.

Within the vibrant wine scene of the greater Los Angeles Area, I contribute to the growth and success of both large and small production wineries. Through wine competitions and subsequent events, I actively promote wines and foster connections between winemakers and enthusiasts. Fluent in Spanish, English, and conversational French, I have the unique ability to conduct marketing work in multiple languages, catering to diverse audiences and expanding reach.

Let's connect and explore how our shared passion for wine and commitment to excellence can contribute to the growth and success of the industry.

Wine Competitions

ROLE: CHAIRWOMAN SINCE 2021

ROLE: CHIEF JUDGE/CHAIR SINCE 2017

ROLE: WINE COMPETITION COORDINATOR SINCE 2014

Pacific Rim

Wine Competition

Pigs and Pinot

Los Angeles International

Wine Competition

Los Angeles International Wine Competition, boasting a rich heritage dating back to 1935. Our competition sets the standard for excellence, drawing upon decades of expertise to honor the finest wines from around the world. With a rigorous judging process conducted by industry experts. We celebrate and promote great wines in the LA County Fair through promotional events in the heart of Los Angeles. Spreti was appointed chair, the first woman to lead this iconic event.

Pacific Rim Wine Competition is held at the National Orange Show Events Center in Southern California, this annual competition has been setting standards for judging of fine wines since 1985. The Competition is a two-day event held in April where we wine professionals conduct a blind evaluation of wines. Results are shared with participating wineries shortly after the judging concludes. Spreti Valente was appointed Chief Judge by the previous Chief Judge and longtime president the late Don Galleano (Galleano Wines)

Spreti assists festival directors: Winemaker: Bob Cabral and Chef Charlie Palmer as competition coordinator and sommelier to prepare wines for a cast of Master Sommeliers and international celebrity chefs who showcase some of the world’s greatest Pinot Noir with perfect pork pairings. All net proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America, as well as local Sonoma County scholarships and charities. This is a highly attended event and highly sought out by wine consumers.

WWW.LAWINECOMP.COM

WWW.PACIFICRIMWINE COMP.COM

WWW.PIGSANDPINOT.COM

tips on being a great wine judge

Here are a few tips for wine judges:

Approach wine judging as a professional endeavor, as though you are applying to a new job. Don't just express interest; articulate why you're the ideal candidate and how you'll contribute to the success of the competition and for the wineries we serve.
Align yourself with competitions that support your favorite wineries.
Lead within the industry in your own unique way. Leadership manifests in various styles.
If invited to join a competition, ask the chief/chair what you can do to further the mission.
Utilize promotional materials from competitions and actively share them to amplify their reach, their success means you get a spot, no winery entries, no need for judges.
Engage in marketing events associated with the competition to actively support wineries.
Understand the purpose of wine competitions within the industry and actively contribute to fulfilling that mission.
Leverage your social networks to promote the competition. Embrace your role as an ambassador, focusing on promoting the competition's mission rather than just your role as a judge.
Use your time as a judge to not only evaluate wines but also to network and advocate for the wine industry as a whole. Opportunities may arise from these connections, so let your talents naturally shine without overtly seeking advancement.
If you're not invited back to judge, seek constructive feedback to improve. Sometimes, it's not about your performance, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow.

There’s many more tips i love to share ...stay tuned.

clients

Welcome to a taste of my portfolio! Here, you'll find a small selection of clients I've had the pleasure of collaborating with on various projects. From promotional campaigns to crafting materials and providing strategic advice, I've been fortunate to contribute to their success.

May I be of assistance to your organization?

email me!