Karen MacNeil

Karen MacNeil (born 1954) is an American author, journalist, wine educator and consultant.
Career.
MacNeil's first article, on the subject of the best butter on offer in New York delis, was published in "The Village Voice." She transitioned to wine writing in the mid-1970s, when she was commissioned by "Elle" magazine to write a wine article. In 1991, she signed a contract with Workman Publishing Co. to write a book on wine, "The Wine Bible", which was released in 2001. Her second book was "Wine, Food & Friends" (2006). and was the host of a 13-episode PBS series titled "Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil" (in tandem with the book), for which she won an Emmy. MacNeil was also wine correspondent on NBC's "The Today Show", has published articles in a wide range of publications, and works as a private wine education consultant.
MacNeil's articles have appeared in "The New York Times", "Food & Wine", "Saveur", and "Town & Country". She is the creator and chairman of the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California. In her work as a private wine education consultant, her clients have included Merrill Lynch, Lexus, General Electric, Time Inc. and American Express.
MacNeil is based in Napa Valley. MacNeil was married to Dennis Fife (1945-2016). Their adopted daughter, Emma Fife (2002-2020), attended St. Helena High School.