Tess Rose Lampert

Tess Rose Lampert’s connection with Mexican culture began in early childhood. Thanks to a public elementary school immersion program Tess learned about the many Indigenous populations of what is today central and south America starting at 5 years old, with all schooling in Spanish taught by native speakers. She continued her studies throughout her university majors in linguistics and philosophy, specializing in Mayan glyphs, and dispelling the myth of contemporary portrayals of Mesoamerican nations as less civilized than their European counterparts. Shortly after completing a Masters degree in Aesthetic Philosophy of Taste, she began working in the wine and spirits industry. In the mid 2000s her work with spirits and lifelong appreciation for Indigenous culture overlapped as she learned about mezcal directly from producers in Mexico. At the same time, mezcal was becoming a trend in the international cocktail scene. Tess has dedicated a good deal of her professional life to agave education in an effort to breed appreciation for what is first and foremost an extension of culture, and to center the communities behind agave spirits. Known for her sharp palate, in addition to educational writings and events, she is a wine and spirits judge with Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and has her own consulting company, PalateTrip LLC.