Karen MacNeil
Karen MacNeil has worn many hats in the California wine industry. She is the author of the Wine Bible which has sold over 380,000 copies in the United States; more than any other wine book. She is also a wine educator, consultant, and television personality.
In 2004, Karen MacNeil was honored by the James Beard Foundation when she won the coveted, “Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award.” This is an apt title for MacNeil, because it is difficult to typecast her into any one part of the industry.
As an educator and consultant, MacNeil’s resume is impressive. She is currently the Chair of the Professional Wine Studies Program at the Napa Valley location of the Culinary Institute of America. Additionally, she teaches wine classes for a number of major corporations including J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston, American Express, Time Warner, and Oracle.
But MacNeil does not only focus on teaching wine professionals and business luminaries. She is also the host of the television show, Wine, Food & Friends with Karen MacNeil, which aims foster everyday wine enjoyment.
In addition to authoring the Wine Bible, Karen MacNeil has written for many magazines and publications. A short list includes The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Wine Spectator, Travel & Leisure, Town and Country, and Cooking Light Magazine.
Along with husband Dennis Fife, Karen MacNeil is the co-owner of Fife Vineyards. Fife is based in Mendocino County’s Redwood Valley wine region, and also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon based wines from Spring Mountain in the eastern hills of Napa Valley.
