Welcome to Episode 1811, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews Sam Parra in this installment of Voices, on the Italian Wine Podcast. More about today’s guest Born and raised in St. Helena, CA, Sam was destined to be in the wine industry. After graduating from St. Helena High School he attended Napa Valley College before transferring to Sonoma St University. Sam has been active with philanthropic organizations for decades including in his hometown with the St. Helena IOOF Lodge. He also volunteered for the Napa Valley Wine Auction, Yountville Veterans Home and the Napa Valley Film Festival. After 15 years in the wine industry through Napa and Sonoma counties, Sam and his wife moved to the Willamette Valley in the summer of 2016. He continued his philanthropic efforts in Oregon volunteering for Salud! plus the Lutheran Community Services Northwest. In 2019 he launched PARRA Wine Co where his single vineyard Oregon wines will be sold strictly through his mailing list. In his spare time Sam loves to hike, cook, attending live music shows, organizing wine tasting groups and traveling. He has traveled through England, Netherlands, France, Spain and Portugal. Next on his list Italy and Switzerland. Sam lives in Dallas, OR with his wife Allison and their Boston Terrier Noelle.  Connect: Website: parrawineco.com  Instagram: @parrawineco  Facebook: Parra Wine CO  About today’s Host: Cynthia Chaplin is a VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with FIS and the WSA, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian wine and culture. Born in the USA, she’s lived in Europe since 1990. Italian wine, in particular rosé, is her passion. She works with embassies, corporations and private clients, creating and presenting tastings, events, seminars and in-depth courses. Cynthia is a wine writer, a judge at international wine and sake competitions, she consults with restaurants and enotecas developing comprehensive wine lists and food pairings, and she advises clients who want to curate an Italian wine collection. She currently works for Vinitaly International in Verona as a Project Manager, Educator, and the host of VOICES Series on The Italian Wine Podcast, focusing on diversity and inclusion in the global wine industry. Connect: Facebook: Italian Wines in English Instagram: kiss_my_glassx Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Share this pod! Remember Voices is all about diversity, equity, and heart-warming personal stories about real people!