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12 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 { publisher's notebook } The Italian Wine Scholar study and certication program, modeled after the acclaimed French Wine Scholar program established in 2009, is celebrating the enrollment of its 1,000th student since its launch in 2016. Considering the sheer volume of infor - mation necessary to become an expert on Italian wine, the Wine Scholar Guild has di- vided the course into two segments: Wines of Northern Italy and Wines of Central & Southern Italy. Each wine region is covered with regards to history, geography, climate, topography, soils, grapes and appellations. A composite score of 75 percent on both unit exams is required for candi - dates to earn the Italian Wine Scholar title and IWS post-nominal. The program is available both in distance-learning and classroom formats, with classes held at the 50-plus WSG-approved program provid - ers located in more than 20 countries on ve continents. "Students are composed of wine profes - sionals and enthusiasts who have already completed more general wine-study programs and wish to gain deeper under- standing of the wines of Italy," says IWS Education Director Maurizio Broggi. Brian Baker is the newly appointed General Manager of Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa Valley. Bodegas LAN Expands Its U.S. Distribution and Portfolio to Meet Market Demand Bodegas LAN, a benchmark producer in the Spanish region of Rioja, is expand- ing its distribution reach and portfolio within the U.S. market to support grow- ing consumer demand. Fueled by distribution gains on the East and West Coasts, the renowned winery will now offer the full range of LAN classic and estate wines to consumers in the Midwest while also building a presence in Arizona. "For the past decade, our network has expanded with new opportunities to grow in the Midwest market and beyond," says LAN Export Manager TrinidadVil - legas. "After making some changes and adjustments over the years, we are proud to see that we are approaching 2020 with LAN wines available in 40 states, includ- ing a full range of single-vineyard wines to complement our classic wines." Brian Baker has been appointed Gen- eral Manager of historic Napa Valley winery Mayacamas Vineyards. Prior to his appointment, Baker served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Chateau Montelena Winery in Calis - toga, where he oversaw global sales and marketing activities. Baker's introduction to the wine business arrived in 2004, when he was appointed Vice President–Consumer Relationship Management at Jackson Family Wines in Santa Rosa. He holds a Certied Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential and is an alumnus of the University of Southern California. The Wine Scholar Guild's Italian Wine Scholar Program Is More Than 1,000 Strong Italian Wine Scholar educators in Lugana. PHOTO COURTESY OF WINE SCHOLAR GUILD Brian Baker Appointed General Manager of Mayacamas Vineyards PHOTO COURTESY OF GREGORY + VINE The Viña Lanciano vineyard in Rioja, Spain. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYACAMAS VINEYARDS