Interview with Liz Huettinger, Sommelier and #MeToo Activist
Podcast Services & Where to Listen
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These podcast episodes are a follow-up to the recent news that the Court of Master Sommeliers, the most recognized and prestigious wine teaching and certifying organization in the US, has had many accounts and allegations of sexual misconduct.
Elizabeth Huettinger (or Liz Huettinger) is one of the women leading the charge for demanding change within the organizations, that seems rigid in its practices from the days of the “good ol boys”.
Elizabeth Huettinger co-authored the petition demanding change from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and she encourages anyone that is currently working within the wine industry or who’s considering a career in wine to sign it.
The petition crafted by Taylor Grant, Advanced Sommelier, Audrey Frick, Advanced Sommelier and of course, Elizabeth Huettinger, Advanced Sommelier, outlines the following 5 demands:
A sincere, formal and public acknowledgment and apology for the behavior of its members detailed in the NYT and for the Court’s incredibly inappropriate and inadequate response to the failures listed above.
An immediate resignation of both Devon Broglie as Chairman of the Board, and the entire current Board of Directors from their respective positions for their ineffective leadership.
Third Party investigations of all abuse of power and sexual harassment allegations both current (including but not limited to the allegations against Matt Stamp, Matt Citriglia, Drew Hendricks, Bob Bath, Greg Harrington, Eric Entrikin, and Fred Dame), and future.
Subsequent removal of the Master Sommelier title for Matt Stamp, Matt Citriglia, Drew Hendricks, Bob Bath, and Fred Dame after the mandatory 30 day waiting period following their suspension.
A tangible and detailed plan to make both the examinations and the organization more transparent - including but not limited to board elections and examination results.
A career in wine appears from the outside to be all glamour. There’s a lot of time building up a reputation and a resume, and a lot of subjective and very costly testing from the Court of Master Sommeliers. If the demands aren’t met, there’s been talk about the forming of a new organization with more modern values and principles… as well as a less subjective testing process that could better prevent biases in the certification process.
Listen to the episode(s)… This is a two episode series. Liz Huettinger will paint a very vivid picture of what type of organization the Court of Master Sommeliers truly is, and what type of change is necessary to move them into the modern world. Liz provides specific examples and stories of shortcomings within the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Here are the major publications on the topic, some referenced in the podcast episode, as well as the petition:
The San Francisco Chronicle - Nation's Top Women Sommeliers Demand Revolutionary Change After Sexual Misconduct Claims Rock Wine World (article features Liz Huettinger)
The New York Times - The Wine World’s Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem
The New York Times - A Celebrity Sommelier Is Accused of Sexual Assault
Wine Spectator - Court of Master Sommeliers Chairman Steps Down, Group to Restructure After Outcry over Sexual Harassment (article features Liz Huettinger)
Forbes - Sexual Harassment Scandal Roils Court Of Master Sommeliers
Mayacamas - Wine Spectator #2 of Top 100 Wines of 2019 (where Liz Huettinger works; Mayacamas is not associated with the petition)
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