My Wine Journey: Gratitude, Friendship, and Curiosity
My journey with wine started in an unremarkable way. I was working as a server at The Keg Steakhouse when my manager handed me a glass of Merlot. I took a sip. It tasted like dark grape juice. I moved on and forgot about it.
A few years later, my boss at the time, and later my best friend, Mitch, introduced me to wine again. This time it was different. He came up from his cellar with a bottle of 2003 Inglenook CASK Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford. I swirled it, took a sniff, and something clicked. I couldn’t stop smelling it. I kept going back, drawn to the aroma before I even tasted it. That moment stayed with me, and I have been exploring wine ever since.
From there, the adventure grew. I started visiting Seattle Wine Company in Bellevue, where I met Karen and Nabil. Nabil would walk through the aisles with me, filling my basket with wines from around the world. I kept my budget under twenty dollars, but every bottle opened up something new.
I spent more time in Woodinville’s warehouse district, visiting Gorman and Mark Ryan when Chris and Mark were still pouring their own wines in small, unpolished spaces. The wines were exciting and made me want to keep exploring.
I found Fine Wine & Cigars at Redmond Town Center and met Louis, who introduced me to a different side of wine. He formed a tasting group, and what started as a casual meetup soon turned into something bigger. We began with local wines, then expanded to wines from all over the world. New friendships formed, and some members pursued wine professionally. My friend Nick went on to become a Master Sommelier, and two other friends named Nick, and Louis as well, became winemakers.
Wine quickly became part of my life. I met Justyna, a sommelier and attorney, who allowed me to assist at her wine bar. Through her, I connected with Morgan from Two Vintners and learned about Kermit Lynch imports. I tasted Santa Maria Pinot Noir and Royal Tokaji and gained a new appreciation for regions I had never considered before.
Trips to Walla Walla brought even more discoveries. I met Trey from Sleight of Hand Cellars and the Robertsons of Delmas Wines. Steve Robertson walked my wife and me through the young vineyards of the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. He explained how the glacial flood stones retained heat and how the lavender around the vineyard attracted beneficial insects.
I finally got off the waiting list for Cayuse and attended their annual release parties. Christophe Baron would move through the crowd, topping off glasses and sharing his energy with everyone. Later, I traveled to Napa, where Brooke showed us century-old, head-trained Zinfandel vines that carried a history of their own.
Along the way, I created vSpin, a patented aeration solution. I started my own tasting group, bringing friends together to explore wine. I worked with internationally known wineries on their brand strategies. These experiences helped shape my understanding of wine and brought me closer to people who shared the same passion.
My curiosity kept growing. I started studying wine more, starting with WineFolly, which used beautiful visuals to explain concepts in a way that made sense. I read Jancis Robinson’s work and Karen MacNeil’s Wine Bible, which made wine feel relatable, historical, and full of stories.
Traveling to France deepened my understanding, and I decided to pursue WSET certification. Through that process, I found Wine With Jimmy, an educator who made learning approachable and engaging.
Looking back, my journey has been shaped by people who took the time to share their passion. Mitch with that first bottle. Karen and Nabil filling my basket. Steve and Brooke walking me through vineyards.
I never planned to become a wine educator, but I appreciate everyone who helped me along the way. Every experience has added something valuable.
There are many more people who have influenced my journey, and I am grateful for all of them. Wine has given me friendships, experiences, and endless opportunities to learn.
The journey continues. There is always another bottle, another story, and another opportunity to grow.
