Meet the Team

As a women-owned and run team, The Vinícola has always supported other women-owned and BIPOC, independent, and family-run enterprises.

  • Erlinda is an emerging technology policy and governance expert with a 20 + year career in international, federal, and state government affairs. She’s worked for and advised diverse organizations such as Accenture, the US Army, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the South Carolina Senate, and leading alcohol beverage companies. Erlinda is also a sommelier, wine and spirits educator, writer, and judge with a focus on supporting independent, family, or minority-owned brands. Her role as the former Director of Communications and Education for the Mezcal Institute, as well as her own personal endeavors to promote Mezcal to the global marketplace through collaborations with brands, suppliers, and the greater Mezcal community, has propelled to her become one of the world’s foremost experts on agave spirits. In her new capacity as the Global Ambassador for the Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal (COMERCAM), she is honored to continue educating, evangelizing, and preserving the cultural, historical, and mystical beverages of Mexico’s national spirit. A frequent speaker on issues pertaining to emerging technology, the economics of the alcohol beverage industry, and on diversity and gender equality, Erlinda received her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Founder & CEO

Erlinda is an esteemed technology policy and governance expert with over 20 years of experience in international, federal, and state government affairs. She has advised various organizations, including Accenture, the US Army, and leading alcohol beverage companies. As a sommelier, educator, and judge, Erlinda is dedicated to supporting independent and minority-owned brands in the wine and spirits industry. Formerly the Director of Communications and Education at the Mezcal Institute, she has become a leading authority on agave spirits. As Global Ambassador for COMERCAM, Erlinda continues to advocate for and educate about Mexico's national spirit, mezcal. A frequent speaker on technology, economics, diversity, and gender equality, Erlinda holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master's in Public Policy from Georgetown University.


  • Design Director

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

Digital Marketing Strategist

Diana graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and holds a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies with a double minor in Sociology and Gender & Media (Communications).

Her academic journey has been fueled by a deep curiosity about human behavior and a keen interest in understanding how these behaviors influence consumerism.

For the past year and a half, she’s had the incredible opportunity to work alongside The Vinícola’s CEO and Founder, Erlinda A. Doherty, as Digital Marketing Strategist. She has been focused on driving traffic across social media platforms and engaging audiences through compelling and engaging content.

Additionally, she also contributes to our blog and newsletter and is now excited to bring her expertise to the website!

She’s thrilled that her experience connected her with Erlinda and that she is now able to expand The Vinícola. She hopes to pave the way for fellow women in wine and spirits and across industries who aim to break the glass ceiling, use their voices to make a difference and create a lasting impact.

Our Story

The Vinícola is a women-owned and run wine and spirits education and consulting business; Erlinda A. Doherty, our CEO and Founder, wears several hats as a sommelier, wine writer, judge, and now a consultant for AI in the beverage industry. The idea for The Vinícola came to life in 2016. Inspired by the Spanish word for winery, “Vinícola,” the Italian word for wine, “Vini,” and the nickname for the state in which Erlinda was living at the time, South Carolina, lovingly called “Cola” by its residents. Thus, The Vinícola came together with the sentimental meaning of “Wine in Cola.” The Vinícola has led the team on adventures worldwide, including Peru, Botswana, Paris, California, Ireland, and Australia! We’re so lucky to work together in this industry while dabbling in many different areas, including writing, speaking, marketing, and content creation, while exploring so much of the world. However, the BEST thing about being in the wine and spirits business is meeting all of YOU, which, speaking of, we hope our new website allows us ample opportunity to connect with the fantastic, hardworking, and dedicated individuals throughout. We love exchanging stories and hearing about all of our unique journeys. We love hearing from you; make sure you’re following us on social media, @TheVinicola, and don’t hesitate to email us. Cheers!