RYAN OPAZ

Born in Minnesota and lives in Porto, Portugal

Having worked as a wine retailer, chef and butcher, Ryan has explored the worlds of wine and gastronomy from the inside out.

Respected by many around the world as a leader in the field of digital wine communication and a self-confessed “techie”, Ryan advises on social media and blogging for wineries, wine retailers and restaurants. He is a speaker at events all over the world eg: Wine Future; London International Wine Fair 2009, 2010; Essencia do Vinho; London Boutique Winery Tasting; Bibendum Annual Tasting; Congreso Internacional de Turismo Enologico; Zagreb Wine Festival plus many more. He lectures regularly on Social Media at the Burgundy Business School.

Ryan is the co-founder of:  Catavino.net; Vrazon.com; Wineblogger.info; Born Digital Wine Awards and the EWBC Digital Wine Communications Conference.

GABRIELLA OPAZ

Born in Chicago and lives in Porto, Portugal

Masters degree in Education from the University of Minnesota, published writer, dedicated runner, die-hard traveller and 15+ year veteran of the gastronomy world.

Gabriella is the organisational guru and the mastermind behind Vrazon’s events.  Gabriella uses her flair for organisation to create quality events, which are very user-friendly, dynamic and result in long-term engagement.

Gabriella is co-founder of: Catavino.net; Vrazon.com; Wineblogger.info; Born Digital Wine Awards and the EWBC Digital Wine Communications Conference.

ROB MCINTOSH

British, but raised in Italy, Mexico and USA, now living in London.

MA (Hons) in Management & International Relations from St. Andrews University. Ten years in business publishing & exhibitions before joining the wine trade in 2003 to work with UK importer Bibendum and then with wineries in Rioja.

Robert, as ‘@thirstforwine’, is an online wine communicator, blogger, and prolific twitter user. His main focus is on culture, marketing and communication, and advises wine businesses on how to engage their brands with the online conversation. Occasional contributor to business magazines and speaker

Robert is the founder of WineConversation.com and co-founder of the EWBC Digital Wine Communications Conference and Born Digital Wine Awards. Co-founder of Vrazon.com