Ringo Firefly

Ringo Firefly has extensive work experience in the food and beverage industry, with a focus on wine and cheese. Ringo has worked as the Chief Wine Officer and Content Director at Winetracker.co since 2015. Prior to that, they were the Executive Producer, Food and Beverage Director, and Creative Content Writer at MYTH Masque from 2013 onwards. Ringo has also worked as a Contributing Author at CheeseRank at VaynerMedia since 2014. Additionally, Ringo has experience as a Wine Insider at Food and Wine Magazine from 2013, and as a Journalist and Writer for various publications since 2011. Ringo has also held positions as a Club Officer at Queso Diego - The San Diego Cheese Club and as a Judge in the Cocktail Competition Category at the San Diego Spirits Festival. Ringo has also worked as a Tasting Room Manager at LJ Crafted Wines and as a Sommelier at WineSellar and Brasserie. Lastly, they have served as a Judge in Winemaking and Cheesemaking Categories at the San Diego County Fair.

Ringo Firefly has a diverse education history. In 1999, they obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology from San Jose State University. In 2011, they attended San Diego State University to study the Business of Wine. The same year, they also completed an intensive cheese education program at The Cheese School of San Francisco. Moving forward, they pursued a career in the wine industry and obtained the WSET Advanced Level 3 Award in Wine and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, before attending the Court of Master Sommeliers from 2014 to 2016, where they became a Certified Sommelier. Additionally, they obtained the French Wine Scholar certification from the Wine Scholar Guild in 2015. In terms of additional certifications, Ringo became a Certified Crime Scene Investigator in 2006 through the International Association for Identification. Ringo also holds certifications as a Certified Food Protection Manager from ServSafe in 2012, a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe in 2014, a LEAD Certification from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in 2016, and a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist from the House of Lustau in 2018.