Background & Upbringing
Raised in Napa Valley’s Yountville region, Briar spent childhood afternoons amid rolling vineyards and gourmet restaurants. Her parents were sommeliers who managed a boutique winery, exposing Briar to global wine culture from a young age.
Education
Briar studied English and Culinary Arts at UC Davis, fascinated by the synergy of food, culture, and storytelling. She traveled to France for a semester abroad, refining her palate and studying gastronomic literature.
Professional Background
After college, Briar worked as a wine educator, guiding tastings and writing detailed flavor profiles for local vineyards. Over time, she began publishing culinary essays, eventually authoring a series of food memoirs that interwove recipes, wine notes, and personal anecdotes about Napa’s evolving gastronomic scene. She now splits her time between writing and consulting for vineyards on marketing and menu pairings.
Cultural Influences
Inspired by the luscious prose of M.F.K. Fisher and the meticulously researched food writing of Ruth Reichl, Briar also credits travel experiences in Europe for broadening her horizons. Musical tastes range from classical guitar (heard in wine-tasting rooms) to jazzy French chanson. Romance and sophistication, for Briar, thrive in the artful presentation of flavors, the intimacy of shared meals, and the timeless appeal of Napa’s vineyard vistas.
