Agi Toth Babochay, CITM, DWS
Founder, Tour Guide/Director, Official Wine Taster
Agi is a Sommelier, wine educator and wine writer who holds the internationally acclaimed Level IV Diploma in Wine & Spirits (DWS) from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust in London, the certification leading to the Master of Wine. She is a Certified International Tour Manager (CITM) from the International Guide Academy out of Denver, CO. In addition, she has an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a degree in French Literature, this last one so she could read all of the romantic names on French wine bottles.
As a certified wine judge, she keeps her palate active by participating in various wine competitions, and as a spirits enthusiast, tremendously enjoys being a member of the annual International Whisky Competition tasting panel. She has been published in various magazines including Edible Michiana and Omaha Magazine.
Agi worked for over 15 years in hospitality managing wine cellars, beverage lists and creating wine and culinary events for foodie enthusiasts like herself. At one point, she asked herself how she could combine her passion for sharing wine with others in her beautiful city and across the globe. Voila! Red Grapevine Tours Ltd. was born.
Cheers!
Our Mission
Red Grapevine’s mission is to provide educational, entertaining, and interesting walking tours in Chicago which celebrate its diversity and status as a sophisticated world-class city through its wine, food, and architecture.
Associations
- International Association of Tour Directors & Guides (IATDG)
- Agi serves on the leadership team of this non-profit organization for trained and experienced tour managers. It strives to increase the number of successful tours and satisfied travelers in the tour and travel industry.
- Chicago Tour-Guide Professionals Association (CTPA)
- members give general city highlight tours and custom develop specialized tours for business, educational or entertainment purposes.
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
- provides the best education and qualifications to inspire and empower the world’s wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts.
- qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge.
- International Guide Academy (IGA)
- the most trusted and recognized worldwide international training center. It specializes in training and certifying professional International Tour Directors and Tour Guides.