Maria Carolina Rivera Perez
Metropolitana
Summary
Bilingual tourism and hospitality professional with 30 years of experience in wine tourism, guest relations, public speaking, public relations, and premium visitor experiences in Chile. Strong background in hosting international guests, leading guided tours and tastings, delivering presentations for diverse audiences, and representing Chilean wine brands in high-visibility settings. Recognized for excellent communication, strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to create memorable experiences for visitors from different countries.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Guide
Enotourism Guide
05.2021 - Current
- Lead wine tourism experiences for visitors, combining hospitality, interpretation, and customer service in engaging guided visits.
- Welcome and assist local and international guests, adapting tours and explanations to different audiences and expectations.
- Deliver informative and memorable experiences through clear communication, storytelling, and professional hosting.
Founder and Consultant
Wine Ambassador4U
03.2016 - Current
- Founded a consulting business focused on hospitality services, wine-related visits, communications, training, and brand ambassador work.
- Designed and supported experiences for visitors from the wine world, with emphasis on service quality and professional representation.
- Provided communications and training support aligned with premium hospitality standards.
Founder
Casa Viva Bed-Breakfast-Café Project
Barrio Italia, Santiago
11.2019 - 11.2020
- Developed a hospitality entrepreneurship project in Barrio Italia, Santiago, focused on guest experience and service.
- Managed concept development and customer-focused operations until closure during the social unrest and pandemic period.
Hospitality Manager
Wines of Chile
12.2018 - 01.2019
- Provided hospitality management services for institutional and wine-related events.
- Supported high-level guest experiences requiring coordination, service excellence, and professional presentation.
Export Area Manager and Brand Ambassador
Viña Falernia and Viña Mayú
07.2015 - 02.2016
- Managed export development in Asia and Latin America while serving as brand ambassador for Viña Mayú.
- Represented the winery publicly and supported positioning efforts through communication and relationship management.
Hospitality Manager, Public Relations, and Wine Ambassador
VSPT Wine Group
05.2000 - 07.2015
- Held multiple hospitality, public relations, and ambassador roles across the group over 15 years.
- Led tastings, wine tours, training sessions, and presentations for clients, trade partners, and diverse international audiences.
- Hosted VIP visitors, including presidents of different nations and government ministers.
- Represented vineyards at fairs, exhibitions, media appearances, and communication activities in Chile and abroad.
- Produced content for websites, advertising materials, technical sheets, and press releases.
- Supported sustainability and quality initiatives, including ISO 14001-related monitoring in her area.
Public Relations Officer
Viña Cousiño Macul
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Managed hospitality activities, events, tastings, and customer training.
Public Relations Officer
Viña Canepa
01.1997 - 12.1997
- Supported hospitality services, events, tastings, and customer training activities.
Operations and Training Supervisor
Comercial Vinimport Ltda. (The Wine House)
Santiago
12.1995 - 01.1997
- Supervised branch operations and supply in Santiago.
- Supported staff training and tasting activities.
Education
Diploma - Wine Communication
01-2025
WSET Level 1 and Level 2 - undefined
Level 3 in progress, 2026
International Bartender - Mixology
01-2020
Psychology, Communications
01-1985
Major in Psychology, Minor in Communications
Skills
- Guided tours and visitor experiences
- Wine tourism and experiential tourism
- Premium hospitality and guest relations
- Public speaking and cultural storytelling
- VIP hosting and protocol
- Bilingual communication in English and Spanish
- Training, presentations, and client education
- Event support, tastings, and brand representation
Languages
Spanish: Native
English: Advanced spoken and written
Portuguese: Basic
Professional Headline
Bilingual Tourist Guide | Wine Tourism and Premium Hospitality Specialist
Positioning Profile
This profile is especially strong for roles such as tourist guide, wine tourism host, cultural experience guide, hospitality specialist, visitor experience coordinator, or premium tourism representative in Chile. The experience combines destination knowledge, service excellence, communication, and international guest engagement.
Additional Training
- Business English: Management and Leadership, Arizona University, 2020.
- Successful Business Management for SMEs, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2020.
- E-commerce and Digital Marketing, 2020.
- Private coffee training and intensive barista course.
- Excel user level, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2015.
- Aroma Workshop, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2004.
- Training monitor in quality systems and environmental management, Viña Tarapacá / CMI, 2004.
Timeline
Guide - Enotourism Guide
05.2021 - Current
Founder - Casa Viva Bed-Breakfast-Café Project
11.2019 - 11.2020
Hospitality Manager - Wines of Chile
12.2018 - 01.2019
Founder and Consultant - Wine Ambassador4U
03.2016 - Current
Export Area Manager and Brand Ambassador - Viña Falernia and Viña Mayú
07.2015 - 02.2016
Hospitality Manager, Public Relations, and Wine Ambassador - VSPT Wine Group
05.2000 - 07.2015
Public Relations Officer - Viña Cousiño Macul
01.1999 - 01.2000
Public Relations Officer - Viña Canepa
01.1997 - 12.1997
Operations and Training Supervisor - Comercial Vinimport Ltda. (The Wine House)
12.1995 - 01.1997
- WSET Level 1 and Level 2,
Bar Academy Chile - International Bartender, Mixology
John Carroll University - , Psychology, Communications
Andrés Bello University - Diploma, Wine Communication