Laura Brown, 36

Cofounder, Uncorked Access; Wine Educator, Vin Social

Signaling a Shift in the Wine Conversation

As a twentysomething working in the restaurant industry and later pursuing certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Brown became interested in sign language and earned an associate’s degree in American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation.

She has since brought her passions together via Uncorked Access, a start-up she cofounded with Deaf ASL poet Peter Cook that offers resources to support Deaf beverage professionals and wine lovers. Meanwhile, she’s also propelled a career in wine academics as an educator for Vin Social, a virtual hospitality platform and quarterly wine subscription that partners with sustainability-driven wine producers to provide tastings and education for businesses and other groups.

Instagram: @wine.language.interpreter