WHAT WE DO:
Marq Wine Group specializes in working with wine regions and individual wineries to help them expand their reach in the U.S. market. Our proven model starts with strong client relationships and is implemented through data-driven strategies for long-term, sustainable growth.
If you’ve worked with consultants in the past, you probably aren’t looking for another report. Instead, you want an action-oriented business development plan that will produce results. True long-term, sustainable growth is achieved through diversified market entry strategies and the breadth of services Marq provides make this a reality. Our team will develop a customized strategy and walk with you to implement a diversified strategy to help you reach your goals.
Marq Wine Group thinks and work globally. Yet we live and enjoy life locally in our Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. These are a few of our favorite local sights, sounds, and tastes:
Sunset over the Potomac River from the terrace at Fiola Mare
“Hippie Crack” granola and Stumptown Coffee from our neighbor, Baked & Wired
Lunch or dinner in the courtyards of Kafe Leopold, Chez Billy Sud or Bourbon
A happy hour walk, run or cycle up the Capital Crescent Trail or Billy Goat Trail along the C&O Canal
MEET OUR TEAM:
With a base in Washington, D.C., our company has a presence in each U.S. major wine market, with our team spread across D.C., New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. We bring energy, focus, determination, and deep networks to our client projects. We work together to develop and implement the best roadmap for each client’s success and get excited with you about your success!
Julie Peterson
JULIE A. PETERSON (Washington, DC)
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Julie Peterson, Marq Consulting Group’s founding partner, has over 25 years of economic development and international marketing experience. She is now working at the crossroads of economic development and sustainable agriculture in the wine industry. Before launching Marq Consulting Group, Ms. Peterson served with public, private, and nongovernmental organizations, including the USAID, the World Bank, the Institute for Global Engagement, Orion International (where she was based in Kenya and South Africa), and Goodweave (working to eliminate forced child labor in the handmade rug industry). As a seasoned consultant, she has helped clients in diverse industries achieve substantial market gains. Ms. Peterson has served as a trustee for the Center for Public Justice and as a leadership institute fellow with the National Center for Leadership (Washington, DC). In addition to holding memberships in the Washington International Trade Association and the Wine Market Council, she served as an officer for Women in International Trade (WIIT), which honored her as “Member of the Year” in 2013. She currently serves on the board of the Hodos Institute, working to support ethical leadership in Ukraine. Ms. Peterson has been admitted to Les Dames d’Escoffier International, an invitation-only organization for women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the food and wine industry.
LAUREN BAAS (Washington, DC)
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Lauren Baas currently serves as an Account Manager with Marq Wine Group and brings a love of strategic planning and implementation. Lauren is a Calvin University graduate with degrees in Political Science and History. Her love for cultural histories led her to study and live in several countries: Oman, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Italy. As a result, Lauren has an excellent appreciation for international interaction and stories that make each of us distinctive.
CHRISTINE DEUSSEN (NYC & Miami)
MEDIA RELATIONS
Originally from Michigan, Christine attended Barnard College of Columbia University (New York), from which she has a degree in Classics (Greek); she also spent a semester at Université de Paris. Born to European parents, wine was part of every meal. High school bar and restaurant jobs gave way to Christine’s first job as an ancient Greek coin appraiser for Christie’s, but she soon migrated back to wine, working in marketing for Veuve Clicquot, PR within Havas/EURO RSCG, and finally opening her own company in 2002. Deussen clients are regularly included in top lists (e.g., Impact Magazine’s “Power 100” and “Hot Prospects”; IWSR’s “Elite Brands”; etc.) and lifestyle coverage ranges from The TODAY Show to The Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, VinePair, Robb Report, etc. Languages include French, intermediate Italian, and beginning Spanish.
TAYLOR PARSONS (Los Angeles)
INSTRUCTOR / STRATEGIST
One of the most influential sommeliers in the US market began his career with Sommelier/Wine Director stints at Mark Peel’s landmark Campanile Restaurant and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Beverly Hills preceded the move to Nancy Silverton, Joe Bastianich, and Mario Batali’s Mozza restaurants. He was the Beverage Director for the Mozza Group from 2010-2013, overseeing the Italian-centric programs for four restaurants in Southern California: Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, Spacca Los Angeles, and Pizzeria Mozza in Newport Beach. In 2013, he returned to his old stomping grounds to work with Chef Walter Manzke, accepting the position of Chef Sommelier and Beverage Director for the opening of Manzke’s French-centric République restaurant. He took over as General Manager in September 2014. That same year, he received the ‘Rising Star Sommelier’ Award from StarChefs, and in 2015, was named one of seven ‘Sommeliers of the Year’ by Food & Wine Magazine and ‘Best Sommelier’ by the LA Weekly. Parsons left République in January 2017 to devote more time to his beverage and hospitality consultancy. He currently partners with Marq Wine Group and acts as chief educator for wine regions in the US market as they seek to advance their market share in the US market.
meet our partners:
We live in an interconnected world…thus our network is broad. We are excited to leverage our connections to help our clients grow their reach in global markets outside the U.S. through collaboration with our partners.
Swirl Wine Group SARAH ABBOTT, MW
United Kingdom
Swirl Wine Group is a boutique consultancy and marketing agency that works to introduce wines in the UK market by delivering integrated distribution strategies, wine communications, and brand development to some of our world’s most exciting and surprising wines.
Meiburg Wine Media DEBRA MEIBURG, MW
Hong Kong/China
Based in Hong Kong, Debra Meiburg is the Founder of Meiburg Wine Group - whose mission was to introduce quality wines from around the world to Asia and to offer fresh, culturally appropriate wine education and training to both the wine trade and wine lovers. As the Asian wine market evolved, their activities diversified and focused on fostering a healthy and sustainable wine market in Hong Kong, China and across Asia.
EOC INTERNATIONAL
France
Based in Marseille, France, EOC International is a global sales and marketing consultancy with affiliate offices in Lille and Bordeaux, France; and Sao Paolo, Brazil. Since 1990 EOC has helped clients build or reinforce their international development efforts. EOC’s services include market research, export planning, distribution network development, supplier research, and subsidiary company creation.
GRUPO CH
Portugal
Grupo CH operates in 30 countries, with 400 clients across 3 continents and with 125 awards, is Portugal’s most awarded consultancy. Offering consultative, training, auditing, communications, and design services in Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, and Alentejo, Grupo CH provides bespoke business and management solutions by combining excellence and enthusiasm in comprehensive problem-solving and solution-building.