Feeling Vine with Sommelier Kristen Siebecker

Being a wine expert takes time, a great palate, and true professional devotion to something most of us think of as recreational. But as Certified Sommelier Kristen Siebecker admits, it's a labor of love she couldn't be more happy about - and her wine-related endeavors show it.

Siebecker has long worked in the wine arena, starting in retail where she learned the ropes (or rather, vines), and began to appreciate being the liaison between each customer and his or her perfect wine. After diving deeper into vinification coursework, she earned certifications with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, as well as the Advanced Blind Tasting by the American Sommelier Association.

Being both bubbly and incredibly knowledgeable, Siebecker soon took her wine skills to the next level. She launched Popping Your Cork, her own pop-up recreational wine class, for which she customizes tastings for private, corporate or residential events. The program continues to serve Siebecker well, providing her with a versatile outlet to pair both wine and food, and wine with amateur wine lovers.

Spotlight on Wine Tips

Sharing knowledge is one of Siebecker's strong suits, both in person and in writing -- EDGE readers may even be familiar with some of her libation-related stories in the Style and Travel channels. (Her latest contribution covered Irish whiskey just in time for St. Patrick's Day: here.)

She's also recently dipped her toe into broadcast with two endeavors. I Feel Vine is a weekly podcast between Siebecker and cohort Blair Zachariasen, who showcase a new wine or related topic every Wednesday. The duo is now exploring wines literally from A to Z (this week they're on letter J -- recommending California's Jensen Vineyard Central Coast Calera Pinot Noir).

Last summer, Siebecker launched her own video broadcast channel on "curated TV" portal Waywire.com. She serves as the site's VinoVideo curator, and publishes her own fun short videos that recommend wine and food pairings and other tips.

Empowered Winemaking

Breaking into a traditionally male-dominated field hasn't intimidated Siebecker, who says success in this industry is a result of commitment above all.

"With winemakers and sommeliers, generally it's thought of as a boy's business," she says. "But I think that's really starting to change. There is no glass ceiling. Women can really do whatever they want in the field.

"I think especially for sommelier positions, it really doesn't matter your gender if you want to learn. It just takes a lot of time. It's super long hours and hard work. So it depends more on what kind of constitution you have - if you can work 14 hour days, then that's the job for you!"

At the third annual Women in Wine Leadership Symposium in New York last October 2014, Siebecker was among more than 100 "women wine professionals." They came to hear keynote speaker and former Gourmet editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl, the first Master Sommelier in the U.S. Madeline Triffon, and other prominent winemakers address the state of the industry today.

Siebecker calls the symposium "terrifically empowering," and says it served as a great way to address female-centric issues.

"There were discussions on certain subjects guys don't always have to face, like raising a family while working in the wine business, or dealing with financial inequality."

The event also pointed attendees toward women-run vineyards to support, something Siebecker is always keen on. Among her favorites are Catena Zapata Vineyards, run by Laura Catena, whose taken over the family business from her father in Mendoza, Argentina. Yealands Family Wines out of New Zealand also comes highly recommended, in particular its Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to the work of Chief Winemaker Tamra Kelly-Washington.

Judy Jordan of J Vineyards, with the help of her Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse, produces one of Siebecker's all-time favorite wines, the sparkling J Cuv�e 20 (made from genuine Champagne grapes). J Vineyards Assistant Winemaker Scott Anderson also participates in Out in the Vineyard, a company that organizes LGBT-geared tours and events in California wine country.

Siebecker says she'll continue to put her wine expertise to good use, actively applying her know-how to great events, classes and partnerships. Her next appearance is as guest sommelier at Good Commons, a boutique retreat center in Plymouth, Vermont, where she'll be joining private chefs, local food artisans and spirit makers for a bacchanalian Memorial Day weekend of dining, wine and local adventures.

Her enthusiasm for great wine is clear, inviting those curious to learn more to contact her directly through any of her online outposts. She adds, "As always, I am available for helping anyone shop for wine for that special someone or occasion as well as help plan your own tasting event!"