Lu Gao DipWSET

Tokyo Aoyama Campus Instructor

Lu has over 14 years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry. Throughout her career, she has held roles in sales, marketing, procurement, and strategic planning. She is currently a Business Manager in the Strategic Planning Department of a vineyard in Hokkaido. She has extensive knowledge of the beverage industry across the Asia-Pacific and North American markets.

Lu earned her WSET Diploma in 2022, achieving an overall Pass with Merit and a Distinction in Wine Business. She has been teaching WSET courses since 2023 and is a WSET Certified Educator and Internal Assessor. She also serves as a judge for the International Wine Challenge (IWC).

WSET Level 4 Diploma
WSET Certified Educator & Internal Assessor
International Wine Challenge (IWC) Judge
WSET Level 2 Award in Beer

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Winemakers are storytellers. Through wine, they tell stories of tradition, terroir, history, culture, and passions passed down through generations. Yet their stories truly come alive only when we learn how to read them. And once we do, a whole new world begins to unfold.

In my classes, I hope to be your guide as we explore this remarkable world of wine together. Through tasting, conversation, and shared discoveries, we will look beyond the label and uncover the stories behind wine regions, explore how nature and human decisions shape what is in the glass, and understand the reasons behind a wine’s style, quality, and value. Along the way, we will gain new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for every bottle.

You don’t need any prior knowledge to begin, only curiosity. My hope is that you find inspiration, purpose, connection, and joy throughout the journey.

Instructor Interview

Why study WSET?

I believe that when we talk about wine, we are really talking about climate, history, culture, and nature. Wine is more than a beverage. It tells the story of the terroir of a place and the dedication of the people behind every bottle. This knowledge is not just for professionals, it becomes a universal language that helps us share experiences and connect with others around the table.

As one of the world’s most trusted and widely recognized wine education providers, WSET offers a clear and structured learning pathway, from your first steps into the world of wine to a professional career. WSET equips students with the knowledge and confidence to explore, appreciate, and communicate about wine.

Favorite wine regions or styles?

I think the beauty of the wine world is that there is no single best region. Every region tells a unique story of its vintage, variety, and vineyard. The wine world is like a starry night: every region comes together to make the whole sky shine.

While I don’t have one absolute favorite, I hold a very special appreciation for Hokkaido, where I work. As an exciting cool climate region, Hokkaido is rapidly gaining international recognition. Benefiting from a maritime climate with both mountain and sea breezes, the region offers ideal conditions for preserving vibrant acidity as the grapes ripen. This results in exceptional wines, ranging from crisp, fresh styles to those built for long aging. Varieties like Kerner, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Zweigelt perform exceptionally well here.

What do you hold most important in your classes?

I’ve met many students who can recite endless appellations by heart, yet still feel hesitant when it comes to actually talking about wine. My goal as an educator is to offer you a framework for thinking, rather than just a list of facts to memorize. I want you to truly sense what each wine is trying to express and how you perceive and interpret it for yourself.

Start by asking yourself: Do I like this? And why? Understanding your own palate is how you truly fall in love with wine and how you find your own confident voice to speak about it.

Topics you most enjoy teaching?

I love exploring the quiet intelligence of the vine. For example, how grapevines grow, adapt, and survive in their environments. Discovering how these plants react to their surroundings and how human effort in the vineyard shapes that journey is endlessly fascinating. Understanding how vines truly inhabit their environment gives us a much deeper appreciation for every glass we pour.

A moment in your career that has stayed with you?

It’s the honest exchange of stories and perspectives with my students. Hearing their unique thoughts and questions is genuinely wonderful, and there are times when a student’s insight helps me see a wine from a new perspective.