Brazil

Vinícius Santiago

Vinícius is a Brazilian sommelier and wine educator, based in São Paulo. Growing up in a poor neighbourhood of São Paulo, “depending on Brazilian public education and [his] mother’s tireless work”, meaning that he did not gain an exposure to gastronomic and beverage culture until his adolescent years, when he took a technical course in hospitality. Almost immediately, Vinícius’ eyes were opened to the potential of the drinks and gastronomic world, both for his career and for his personal and cultural growth. Since entering the industry, Vinícius has pursued several certifications, covering beverages such as wine, sake and beer, and most recently successfully completed the WSET Diploma. He is an educator himself, believing in its power to disseminate knowledge and elevate the competencies and habits of consumers and professionals alike. What’s more, Vinícius is passionate about issues of diversity and inclusion in the industry. He works with Enocultura, a WSET-certified educator which welcomes a diverse range of students to their classes, and also mentors for the Vinica Education Society, a non-profit which “encourages diverse participation in the wine industry”.