November is the month the Institute of Masters of Wine holds its annual ceremony to recognize new MW's. This year four American wine professionals achieved this prestigious title, including the first female MW on the West Coast, Dr. Liz Thach.
"It is a great honor to attend the ceremony in London," said Thach. "It is held at Vintners Hall which was established in 1446 and is considered to be the spiritual home of wine in the U.K."
Thach was also recognized by the California Legislature for achieving the MW as the first female from California. Senators Noreen Evans and Mark Leno and Assembly Members Michael Allen, Wesley Chesbro and Jared Huffman passed Joint Members Resolution No. 422 commemorating the achievement. Thach continues to work as the Korbel Professor of Wine Business in the Wine business Institute at Sonoma State University where she has taught wine and management classes for the past 11 years.
Other Americans to achieve the MW title this year included Christy Canterbury, Michele Anderson and Mary Gorman-McAdams, all residing in New York. Today there are a total of 299 MWs in the world, of which 29 are American. The Institute of Masters of Wine, started in 1955, promotes professional excellence and knowledge of the art, science and business of wine: leading to the title of Master of Wine. The Institute's membership now spans 23 countries.