Courtney Schiessl, DipWSET, is a freelance wine writer, editor, sommelier, consultant, and educator based in New York City.

Courtney is a Contributing Editor for SevenFifty Daily and a contributor to Forbes; her writing appears in numerous other digital and print publications. Ever the oenophile, Courtney specializes in wine but also has extensive experience in beer, spirits, food, and travel.

Courtney is a trained sommelier, wine buyer, and hospitality professional with experience working at some of New York's top restaurants, including Marta, Dirty French, and Terroir. She continues to take on freelance sommelier projects, pouring at seminars, dinners, and events. Courtney was formerly the Senior Editor for inHouse and the Tastings Editor for VinePair, and her writing regularly appears in publications like GuildSomm, Wine Enthusiast, ESPN The Magazine, Wine-Searcher, Tasting Panel Magazine, The SOMM Journal, The Alcohol Professor, and Beverage Media, among other publications. Courtney also consults with wine regions, brands, and agencies around the world, specializing in creative copywriting, public relations and marketing strategy, wine education and speaking, social media management, and event planning and execution.

Having sought out experience in all facets of the wine industry, Courtney has also held positions in wine retail, consumer and trade education, marketing and social media, and in the cellar during harvest. She participated in the 2019 TexSom International Wine Awards Sommelier Retreat as an editor mentor, working with top sommeliers on their writing skills throughout the program. During her time as a Vivino Brand Ambassador, Courtney made appearances on Refinery 29 and Good Morning America Radio to speak about wine and pairings, and she hosted a series of Portuguese wine training videos for Esporão Wines. Courtney continues to make print, online, and broadcast media appearances as a wine expert.

Always a lover of food and travel, Courtney realized her love of wine while managing national PR campaigns for international wineries and wine regions. Her varied and wide-reaching background makes her an ideal, well-rounded educator and consultant.

Courtney holds the Diploma in Wines from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. She also has a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University.