Rachel Nico Halpren is co-founder of Drinkoftheweek.com, one of the first websites dedicated to spirits and cocktails. Ms. Nico Halpren writes extensively about wine and spirits at Drinkoftheweek.com and hosts events and classes to educate consumers on wine, spirits and cocktails. Nico Halpren is a Diploma Candidate with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, has a certificate in Wine Studies through the Vintage Program at University of California Los Angeles, which is accredited by the University of California Davis, is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits with the Society of Wine Educators and a graduate of the Bar Smarts program. Nico Halpren has judged cocktail competitions and serves as a judge for the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition, including winning the Associate Judge of the Year Award for Spirits. Nico Halpren is a member of the United States Bartender’s Guild and the Society of Wine Educators.