Erin Drain is a Philadelphia-area native who adopted Chicago in 2004 as her home town. Because she spent some of her teen years in rural La Rioja, she enrolled as an undergrad at the University of Chicago to study linguistic and cultural anthropology with a special emphasis on Iberian language and food cultures. In order to tie together her academic and personal interests yet also pay the bills, she got her inaugural job in wine in 2007 at Lush Wine & Spirits. Erin moved into fine wine distribution starting in 2012 with Cream Wine Company, where she was a key accounts sales representative as well as Director of Education for nearly five years. In 2018, she landed the role of Market Manager for Olé Imports and Obrigado Vinhos, where she proudly represents over 70 winegrowers from every corner of the Iberian peninsula. When she's not on the road, Erin lives, works, plays, cooks, and writes in a classic "octagon bungalow" on the west side of Chicago with her partner, Dan. She is the chair of Next Bites, a nonprofit focused on environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry, and volunteers as a chef instructor for elementary school students with Pilot Light.