LYDIA RICHARDS Founder

Lydia has a Sommelier Certification from the Sommelier Society of America, and is currently pursuing her WSET Level 4 Diploma. Originally from Panama, she has worked in various areas of the wine industry, including retail, marketing, PR and events. In 2017, she founded her private wine education and consulting company, Vino Concierge. Lydia also co-founded Hispanics in Wine, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Hispanic/Latine roots in the beverage and hospitality industries. Her expertise is frequently featured in renowned national, and international wine trade and consumer-oriented publications. An industry leader, Lydia was been included in the renowned 40 under 40 Tastemaker’s List by Wine Enthusiast, Wine Business Monthly’s Wine Industry Leaders, and Imbibe’s 75 People to Watch; she was also recognized by her peers as Hue Society’s Executive of the Year in 2023. A proud Afro-Latina living and working in the United States, she is passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of BIPOC, Hispanic and Latinx interested in working in the wine industry. Lydia was a former member of Les Dames d'Escoffier New York, a female collective of industry leaders in food, beverage & hospitality supporting aspiring professional women via education, advocacy & philanthropy.

In September 2020, Lydia co-launched an exciting passion project alongside wine colleagues Maria Calvert and Ivonne Nill, called Hispanics in Wine & Spirits. Rooted in community and representation, Hispanics in Wine & Spirits is a nonprofit organization providing educational and career-advancement opportunities to the ever-growing Hispanic and Latine community of beverage professionals in the United States and worldwide!

Contact at info@vinoconcierge.wine for more!