Meet Lea Williams — Sommelier, Wine Educator & Founder of Let's Talk Wine NYC

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Lea Williams has spent nearly 30 years working in hospitality, and she'll be the first to tell you that wine doesn't have to be intimidating. It just has to be enjoyable.

That belief is the foundation of everything Let's Talk Wine NYC does.

Before launching Let's Talk Wine, Lea built her career in some of New York City's most demanding kitchens and dining rooms, working alongside celebrated chefs including Alain Ducasse, Anne Burrell, and Amanda Freitag. That experience taught her something that no certification ever could: how to read a room, make guests feel at ease, and turn a meal — or a tasting — into a genuinely memorable experience.

Her focus eventually turned to wine, and she went on to serve as the wine director of a popular Midtown Manhattan wine bar, where she built an eclectic list spanning producers from around the world and hosted regular tastings and educational classes. It was there that she found her calling: taking the mystery out of wine and replacing it with curiosity, conversation, and confidence

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Education & Credentials

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Lea is a Certified Wine Specialist (CWS) through the Society of Wine Educators and a student of master educator Kevin Zraly, whose Windows on the World Wine School has shaped some of the most respected palates in the industry. She is currently advancing her formal education through the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines — one of the most rigorous and internationally recognized wine qualifications available.

Her education is ongoing by design. The wine world never stops evolving, and neither does she.

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Who She's Worked With

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Let's Talk Wine NYC has been trusted by organizations across healthcare, finance, law, media, and the arts — including NYU Langone, Cisco, ASCAP, and GolfTec — to deliver wine experiences that bring people together and leave a lasting impression.

Every client, regardless of industry or group size, gets the same thing: Lea's full attention, a carefully curated selection of wines, and an event that feels effortless from start to finish.

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Why Let's Talk Wine?

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There are plenty of wine companies in New York. What sets Let's Talk Wine apart is simple: this isn't a side project or a passion pivot. It's a business built on nearly three decades of professional hospitality experience, formal wine education, and a genuine love of connecting people through wine.

When you book with Let's Talk Wine NYC, you're not getting a generic event package. You're getting Lea — her expertise, her warmth, and her commitment to making your event feel exactly right for your team.

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