Tanisha Townsend, Girl Meets Glass

Role: Chief Wine Officer, Girl Meets Glass
Location:   Paris, France

My Background:
My background is in IT Security, then a chance meeting with a winemaker at a wine festival in Maryland set me on a path to wine. I became fascinated after that conversation and then passed WSET Level 2, then 3, French Wine Scholar, and Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators.
I really knew that wine could be an actual 'thing' when I was accepted into the Bourgogne Wine Educator program and achieved that certification in 2009. I moved from Washington DC (via Chicago) to Paris in late 2014, and currently teach Economics of Wine at a university for study abroad students and have previously taught Luxury Wine & Spirits, Wine Tourism and the Business of Wine at French universities.

What are the top three challenges to maintaining your well-being in your work?
1) Managing wine drinking for work vs wine drinking for enjoyment. I got into this industry because I enjoyed the beverage so of course when I'm not working, I still have a desire to enjoy this beverage.
2) There are so many opportunities to over-indulge. Whether it be that bottle of Petrus that someone opens at a dinner or the multiple types of desserts that keep coming around.
3) Always being 'on'. Vacations turn into work due to a winery visit or ordering wine and answering questions at a dinner because I'm the 'wine expert'.

What are 3 things you do (or try to do) to maintain your well-being?
1) Taking walks with no headphones. Just walking with my thoughts or looking out at nature. Walking in general is great for well-being and then being alone sometimes is soooo necessary.
2) Getting a good night's sleep! As often as possible, I try to get my 8 hours of sleep and not scroll social media right before bed.
3) This one I'm trying to do, find a hobby. Find something that I really love to do, whether I'm good at it or not, I don't want any money from it or accolades, just something that is really fun to do.

What other beverages do you drink when you're not drinking alcohol?
Sparkling Water, Coffee, Coke Zero

What would people be surprised to know about you?
People may be surprised to know that I have a Masters Degree in Computer Forensics, and I worked an internship with the DC Police Department in their Forensics department. I worked a couple of cases with detectives including a stakeout and a ride along complete with police sirens.

What are you looking forward to?
Whatever is next :-)

What's Your weirdest wellness hack?
A hydratis tablet before a wine dinner or winery visit. It keeps me hydrated when I can't have access to a bunch of water (or a bathroom lol)

What inspires you on your journey in the beverage industry?
It's so vast! There are so many career options and different paths you can take. One can just continue to evolve and hit different parts of the beverage industry as they see fit.

What is a quote that you love?
“You can be the lead in your own life.” – Kerry Washington

You can connect with Tanisha on Instagram at @girlmeetsglass on Facebook ,  LinkedIn and at girlmeetsglass.com