Muphen R. Whitney
Executive Editor, "Welcome to Maryland Wine Country" Magazine
Words have always been a particular passion of Miss Whitney. When she was six years old someone made the mistake of giving her a book about the differences between words that people often mistake for one another. That was the beginning...
Since then Miss Whitney has made good use of her love of words during stints as a systems analyst, entrepreneur, journalist, and marketing consultant. (The latter two endeavors involved many wine-related engagements). Miss Whitney's other passions include wine (her new favorite is Thanksgiving Farm's Cabernet Franc Blanc), good food, horses, dogs, great conversation, classical music (especially Bach and classical guitar), jazz, art (landscapes, seascapes, and equine art), impeccable grammar, and the Dallas Cowboys (yes, even after the last few seasons...sigh).
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Larry Elletson
Technical Adviser
Like a lot of people, Larry's first exposure to wine was in his early teens. While that exposure may not have been with quality wine, it provided him with the baseline to appreciate finer wines later in life. Larry's real love of wines began when he realized the joy of food and wine pairings; “so simple, yet so complex”, he says.
Larry has been lucky enough to have lived in some of the greatest wine regions of the world, and he has toured most of the others (his wine cellar proves it). His continuing involvement with wine has expanded into social/educational endeavors.
Larry's current activities include:
- Co-Director, Tasters Guild - Maryland Chapter
- Chapter Member, Tasters Guild - Annapolis Chapter (defunct)
- Accredited Wine Judge - Tasters Guild Professional Wine Competition, Grand Rapids, MI
- Backroom Crew/Supervisor, Virginia Governor's Cup Wine Competition
- Presenter for Wine Education at Maryland “Wine In The Woods” Wine Festival – Columbia, Maryland
As a Co-Director of Tasters Guild, Larry coordinates monthly wine tastings/dinners at various Maryland Restaurants. The purpose of these events is to educate members and guests about various wines and food from Maryland and around the world.
Larry is familiar with Maryland wines, viniculture, and regions. He says he is ”most delighted and excited that the Maryland wine industry is growing and proving to be able to produce world class wines.”
Larry's long-term goals are to become more involved in the Maryland wine industry through association with a winery/vineyard and to become a certified Master of Wine – a designation earned through The Institute of Masters of Wine.
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Susanne Kuehne
Susanne Kuehne was born and raised in Southern Germany in an area well known for wine and beer. She moved to the US in 2000 and currently lives in Maryland with her husband Dave (who occasionally helps Susanne with her toughest tasting endeavors) and Bobby, her beer-rating dog. After a career in Technical Services and Marketing in the chemical industry, Susanne made a moved into the wine and beer sector to pursue her strong interest in fermented beverages. Since 2008 she has worked as a Wine Consultant for Washburn Wine Company, a distributor of boutique wines, high-end spirits, and craft beers. Susanne is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and has earned certificates in Wine Marketing from the University of California at Davis and as a Beer Server from Cicerone™. Susanne is a lifetime member of the Tasters Guild (where she participates as a judge) and is a member of the International Sommelier Guild, the Wine Century Club, and the American Association of Wine Economists.
Susanne aka Bierfrau
Holly Hosler
Staff Writer
Holly Hosler is a Marketing Coordinator for a Baltimore hospital system. Holly is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and now lives in Maryland with her family. She enjoys wine, gourmet food, style and design, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Susan Southard
Publisher
Susan has traveled many roads: from factory worker, herdsman, veterinary technician, dog trainer (she was the founder of the Queen Anne's County 4-H Dog Club), Professor's Assistant at Chesapeake College, freelance IT Technician, Administrative Coordinator at Johns Hopkins to Social Media and Web Specialist for the Tasters Guild of Maryland. Now her love of wine and food has brought her to her current position at Que Syrah Syrah Publishing where she is the Publisher of Welcome to Maryland Wine Country Magazine. Susan's goal is to bring to readers an informative publication on the Maryland wine industry and to encourage readers to explore the glories of Maryland's wines, wineries, and vineyards.
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