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Monique Studak

After 25 years in the beverage alcohol industry Thirst for Knowledge is my opportunity to bring together my passions for Wine and the Art of Selling. Helping people discover wine for the first time, dig deeper into their appreciation or gain confidence in their ability to sell tableside, or business to business, creates within me great satisfaction.

I believe the food is more interesting when paired with the right wine. And wine is more interesting when you understand the history, the place and the people that create the magic.

Wine, People, Travel and Adventure .... All active ingredients in my life. Much of my career has been spent focusing on restaurants, hotels, bottle shops and national accounts. Helping develop wine and training programs for the trade and educating the public. I began my career in the Texas Wine Industry at Messina Hof, before spending 16 years with the E&J Gallo Family of Wines and 7 years with Pernod Ricard.

I am an active speaker on a local and national level, from small groups to professional organizations, always with an eye on creating ‘Ah ha’ moments.

I am active with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. After judging in the International Wine Competition for 14 years I am now the Vice-Chairman over judging. I am also the current President of Women of Wine Charities, and organization that supports the Houston Area Women’s Center.

My sweet husband Bill, a Rocket Scientist at NASA, and I share a passion for travel and entertaining. We often drag our friends along on these adventures, both internationally and at home, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new wine civilizations. And, if no one wants to go with us, we go alone.