About
M. Learning Academy is a professional development platform dedicated exclusively to the alcohol beverage industry. Its instructors are current and former senior-level executives from within the industry who teach from direct operational experience. By combining strategic insight, financial and operational rigor, applied learning systems, and proprietary execution tools, M. Academy equips producers and suppliers with the skills necessary to strengthen performance and profitability.
Created for winery and spirit brand owners, national and global sales leaders, and high-potential sales managers seeking promotion into executive leadership without traditional business schooling, the program is designed to accelerate real-world wine business mastery. M. Academy also serves professionals transitioning into VP-level or C-suite roles who require deeper financial fluency and cross-functional leadership capability.
Meet the Team
Peter Baedeker
Peter is the Owner & Principal of Baedeker Wine. He served as President of the $100M California distributor, The Henry Wine Group, which was acquired by Winebow in 2015. After graduating cum laude from Tulane University, Mr. Baedeker started in wine & spirits wholesale and quickly ascended the ranks in distribution to eventually manage a team of over 100 sales professionals.
He went on to work in the brand development side of the industry and was responsible for creating a European sparkling wine brand that was acquired by a private equity enterprise. He has also served as Managing Director of a California estate winery and now guides American and European family wine business to success in the U.S. market.
Founder & Instructor
Amanda Wittstrom Higgins
Amanda is a nationally-lauded wine industry leader and business strategist with an expertise in creating future-forward and foundational success. Mrs. Higgins first rose to prominence in the industry as a founder and leader of the Ancient Peaks brand. It was Amanda who led the company as Executive VP from a family vision into a leading U.S premium wine brand.
Amanda’s efforts have been recognized with accolades such as a Wine Enthusiast Top 40 Under 40 honoree award (2019), a Social Visionary of the Year nomination at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards (2019), Central Coast Wine Industry Person of the Year (2020), and inclusion on the SLO Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40 list.
Founder & InstructorContact us
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