Endorsements

Coaching

Thanks so much for your guidance and feedback over the last several months! Your partnership and recommendations, especially early in our journey starting up our company, gave us the confidence and drive to dedicate the hours and funds needed…. we’re especially optimistic about the future ahead. – S & E Wagner, Sommly.com

I just wanted to thank you for your leadership. You have helped limit the scope to something manageable and therefore we have been able to accomplish more than we did when we were spread way too thin. Plus you have brought in a great group of people. Yesterday’s conversation was very helpful and the projects we discussed seem very doable. Much, much appreciated! – K.S., Non-profit Board Member

I want to say thanks again for your coaching. It has changed my life and my perspective on wine and our industry, deepening and enriching everything. Thanks again for your wonderful guidance! – NB, Winemaker

I’m pretty sure that I mentioned this to you when I took your class, but your book, “How to Launch Your Wine Career,” is the reason why I started this Wine MBA journey in the first place. It’s funny how it came full circle. Not only did I ended up taking one of your classes, but you also helped me publish a paper in Wine Industry Advisor. I mean it when I say that I could not have done it without you. – MR, Wine MBA Candidate 

Research/Writing

I recently read your Forbes piece on Tom Gearing’s Cult Wine Investment, along with your most recent interview with James Miles of Liv-Ex. I learned a lot about the fine wine market and technology so thank you! I have respect for your great writing skills and thoroughly enjoy reading these recent examples of your work. – S.Z., Wine Writer

I am a sommelier from NY and based in Italy doing research on a new business ‘model’ to facilitate selling wine in foreign markets for smaller producers, focusing on US as initial ‘foreign market’. As I started this journey earlier this year, I’ve read your book on Wine Sales and Marketing and have come across numerous articles/surveys which you have authored and co-authored. Your research have been invaluable, especially to confirm data points/trends in the industry. – SD, Sommelier

I have referenced findings in your report for the past two years that I was able to synthesize and include in a summary for our sector. The volume of data, complexity of the USA market, and the global demands of many worldwide market is daunting for many of our wineries and importers too. They appreciate the summary document and your report is a valuable tool and contribution. – AF, Trade Director

Trying to place a finger on the pulse of the contemporary wine drinker is difficult, but the data you provided is important and it will help us identify trends and desires. – SR, Wine Retailer

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for the wonderful article in Wine Industry Advisor. Just yesterday I spent an hour convincing my board of directors that we needed to take authentic, actionable steps toward more inclusion in the industry as a whole, and specifically in our little, rural and very “red” County. I think your article will serve as a great guide to get our little task force moving in the right direction. – JG, Executive Director

I want to really thank you for the article that you wrote. It’s amazing for us to spread the name of Puglia all over the world. We are here for any collaboration! And we are waiting for you as well. Grazie mille! – Associazione Puglia in Rosé

Your Mexican-American Winery story is wonderful and so timely with everything that’s happening with the current administration. I thank you so much for giving voice to our shared immigrant experiences and for highlighting our contribution to the wine industry! I’m grateful for your interest and support and I invite you to visit us soon! Abrazos! – AC, Winery Executive

We are wine consulting company from Mendoza, Argentina and I found your American Wine Consumer Report. It was really nice to discover your set of reports. I believe it’s very useful for wine exporters. Thank you very much! – RO, Argentina Wine Consultant

Speaking

I loved your presentation in LOOKING AHEAD and hope that more wineries think about what they need to do to be successful and then act upon it. – D.B., Wine Industry Consultant

I wanted to reach out and tell you what an absolute honor it was to see you on the panel of our virtual tasting. By listening to you taste and talk about the wine that I now work with on a daily basis, it reassured me in more ways than one that I truly am on the right path for my career within the wine industry. Thank you for your time and for being a constant and positive influence in what I do. – EK, Winery Hospitality Manager

It was such a great honor for me to introduce your webinar. The numbers you show were impressive and your presentation will really help us Italian wine producers to think how to be more proactive and approach this side of the business in a different way. I will definitely treasure all your suggestions because customer care will be the secret for success, in the future even more than in the past. – MA, Italian Winery Owner

It was such an honor & delight to have you as the guest speaker today. From your experience going through the Master of Wine program to your critical perspective of the California Wine Industry, specifically your active role in shaping the Petaluma Gap AVA, all of these testimonies will remain as galvanizing ideas in the work lines we engage in the future. Thank you so much for your time. – JLG, Project Manager

Last night was a great success, much of which was due to your participation as our Master of Wine. Your expertise, ability to ‘read the crowd’ and overall social polish made the event most successful. Bluntly put, you made us, the organizers of the event, look good! – SG, Events Chair

Teaching

I have taken 3 wine-oriented courses from Stanford and this was by far the best. Dr. Thach is an experienced teacher as reflected in her pre reading, zoom exercises/breakouts and weekly assignments. Outstanding. – Stanford Continuing Education Student

Dr Liz Thach was awesome.. super knowledgeable and a wonderful professor.. She kept the classes moving and each class was easy to follow… I liked the wine tasting at the end and more impressively, listening to her describe the wine we were tasting… Wonderful class!!!! – Stanford Continuing Education Student

Terrific course and great introduction to the wine business that furthered my knowledge and interest. Dr.Thach is very knowledgeable— I particularly enjoyed her Forbes articles— as well as a delightful and enthusiastic guide to us. – Stanford Continuing Education Student

I feel it necessary to express my appreciation for the class you provided us; your instruction was nothing short of a breathe of fresh air. As a French person, I’ve been fascinated with America since I was 12 (movies, music, culture etc…), especially now with my newfound appreciation for American wine. I sincerely hope next year’s students get the chance to have you as a lecturer, and wish we will keep in touch. – MA, French MBA Candidate

I just wanted to let you know I used class notes from your 305w class last year, to help prepare myself today as I lead a Harvest Tour. During the tour, I took a group of people through our vineyards to productions and on the way taught them all about the vine lifecycle in a years’ span. I looked at my old notes from your class beforehand and it really helped me feel more prepared to talk to my group. Just thought I’d let you know how helpful the content you taught us was. – SE, Asst. Marketing Manager, Sonoma Winery

I wanted to let you know that I’m happy having you as my professor and advisor this semester. Every lecture I’m constantly engaged and I’m able to learn new concepts about leadership. My favorite part about your Leadership class is that I’m able to connect the topics and relate them with my personal life, thank you so much for being supportive and understanding. – GG, Business Student

It was quite bittersweet to have the last lecture, I truly enjoyed our course and wish it could be longer. I really value learning from you, the course has been exceptionally enjoyable. A big sincere thank you! – FF, MBA Candidate

Thank you for an amazing past two semesters Professor! I really enjoyed both of your classes from the Intro to Wine Business to Senior Strategy Seminar this Spring. You’re my favorite teacher that I’ve had at Sonoma State by far! You really do a great job at teaching and care about your students and it shows. – BM, Business Student

Thank you, Liz, it was a pleasure joining in the class today. I learn so much from each of your classes, not only about wine business but also from your teaching style. – JK, Napa Valley Training Organization