A Life Well Drunk provides wine experiences around the world. Meet our team of certified wine and spirit specialists.
John Sporing
Owner, Certified Specialist of Wine
Building on his passion for wine, travel and teaching, John founded A Life Well Drunk. He regularly hosts wine tours around the world. Recently, these tours have included South Africa, Portugal, as well as domestic destinations (California and Oregon). John is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), WSET Advanced certified, and continues to work on his diploma in wine and spirits (DWS).
Jess Helfand
Certified Specialist of Wine & Spirits
Jess is an Economist by training who has spent the last six years exploring her love of wine. Jess is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators, and is presently completing her Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She is the Senior Wine Consultant for the Arlington based Crystal City Wine Shop, as well as the Proprietress of the wine blog Bottle Babble.
Karima Mariama-Arthur
Contributor
Karima is an avid wine connoisseur and one of an increasing number of women to join the ranks of wine professionals around the globe. A regular contributor to Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy for nearly four years, she provided relevant expertise on food and wine pairings, viticulture, oenology and current affairs.
At A Life Well Drunk, she focuses on all things wine, spirits, travel and lifestyle. Her practical experience includes Wine Educator, Paradise Springs Winery; Wine Consultant/Lecturer, BlancNoire; and investment cellaring. Her professional credentials include Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers and Advanced Certification (Merit), Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).