We recently connected with Kristine Viray Lai and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristine Viray, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
After college, I became a high school Chemistry and Physics teacher in Louisiana through Teach for America. Teaching was a rewarding challenge, but after long days in the classroom, wine became my go-to for unwinding (paired perfectly with endless seasons of The Bachelor). On a teacher’s salary, I realized I needed to be more thoughtful about the wines I chose. My curiosity grew as I searched for better quality on a budget, and when I moved back to Virginia after two years, I decided to take my first wine course at the Capital Wine School in DC.
That course completely transformed my relationship with wine. I went from simply enjoying it to truly understanding it—its origins, aromas, flavors, and the experience it brings with each sip. I took my studies to the next level, earning a Level 3 certification with merit from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). That’s when I knew I wanted to share the joy and knowledge of wine with others.
I started hosting tastings for friends and colleagues, both virtually and in person. The spark for my business came when one of my coworkers asked for a non-alcoholic (NA) wine option. This request opened my eyes to a growing and vibrant market. I dove into learning about NA winemaking techniques and styles, realizing how much potential there was to bring something unique to the wine-tasting experience.
I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their relationship with alcohol, should be able to explore and enjoy the world of wine. The thriving wine and sober-curious communities in Austin inspired me to create a space where both could come together.
My favorite moments are seeing people light up as they discover how wine pairs with food, notice the sensations on their palate, or even do a little happy dance after a sip of Texas Tempranillo or an NA red paired with dark chocolate. Those moments of connection and delight are what make wine education fun and accessible.
In 2023, I founded Kasama Tastings to bring these experiences to life. My goal is simple: to make wine education enjoyable, inclusive, and approachable for everyone. Whether it’s wine or NA wine, there’s a seat at the table for you to learn, sip, and savor.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Kasama Tastings is a proud Asian American, women-owned business in Austin, TX, dedicated to creating educational and inclusive tasting experiences for all, from non-wine drinkers to aficionados. ‘Kasama’ in Filipino/Tagalog means ‘together,’ ‘in company with,’ and ‘being included,’ reflecting our mission to make wine education accessible and enjoyable for all. Driven by our passion for learning and connection, we offer curated virtual or at-home wine or non-alcoholic wine tastings tailored to each guest’s preferences.
We carefully hand-select wines from producers who share our five (5) core values of inclusion, learning, passion, accessible excellence, and community. At Kasama Tastings, we believe that enjoying exceptional wines shouldn’t come with an exorbitant price tag. We are committed to curating a selection of high-quality wines and non-alcoholic wines that offer great value, ensuring that our guests can explore and enjoy premium options without breaking the bank.
What makes us unique is 1.) we bring the full wine-tasting experience to YOU and 2.) we offer NA wine. Instead of quick pours and a summary in a tasting room, we take time to see, smell, savor, and rate each glass of wine or NA wine. We provide the background, wine-making techniques, and vocabulary to communicate aromas, textures, and flavors in wine. We allow our guests time to tune into their senses and recognize what they like or don’t like about a wine. We also talk through food pairings and have our guests experiment with different bites. No matter what your relationship is with wine or alcohol, Kasama Tastings is an inclusive journey to find your palate! Ultimately, you want to love the wine you’re with!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Oh, there are so many inspirations from all across the entrepreneurial spectrum! The first two that really sparked my desire to start a business were Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Rich Dad, Poor Dad taught me the importance of making money work for me, but I also knew I wanted to build something fueled by passion. As someone with a lot of interests, Designing Your Life helped me map out what truly mattered to me and energized me. That’s when the idea of combining my love for wine and education really took shape.
Books like Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight gave me insight into building something from scratch. Seeing how Elon Musk and Phil Knight took both calculated and spontaneous risks inspired me to do the same in my own way.The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a game-changer for helping me understand how to work independently and interdependently. This book uncovered a new way to cultivate habits to better manage my time and produce strong outcomes. It also taught me the importance of staying grounded while pursuing my goals.
I’m an avid podcast listener. The Best One Yet Podcast – is fantastic for learning what works and what doesn’t work across a variety of public businesses. The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast is packed with tips for everything from social media strategy to networking and time management, which has been invaluable for juggling my full-time job and starting my business.
Finally, I’ve adopted mantras from Jess Sims’ Peloton bootcamp classes, like “the power of AND” and “we are a work in progress and a masterpiece at the same damn time.” These words remind me that I can be a wife AND a financially secure individual, work in tech AND the wine industry, and host events in Austin AND travel the world. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, but each step gets better and better with hard work and perseverance.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
When I started Kasama Tastings, I knew I couldn’t succeed alone. The ultimate wine experience isn’t just about fantastic wine or non-alcoholic wine—it’s about the vibrant community and welcoming environment that surrounds it. In the early days, my business grew primarily through word of mouth from friends and family. While I loved sharing my knowledge with a close-knit circle, I realized I needed to amplify Kasama Tastings’ presence.
To expand, I joined small business organizations and women entrepreneur groups. At first, it was nerve-wracking—perfecting my pitch, offering value, and ensuring Kasama Tastings made a lasting impression. Over time, these efforts paid off. I built meaningful relationships with other women and small businesses, which strengthened my brand and expanded its reach.
In 2025, my goal is to continue growing through partnerships in the Austin community. I’m measuring success by hosting one partnership event and scheduling coffee chats with at least five potential partners every month. Collaborating with other small businesses not only enhances the value I provide but also allows me to learn from their unique approaches to entrepreneurship.
After just one month of pursuing this goal, I’m already seeing results. My reputation is growing steadily within the wine and non-alcoholic wine markets, and new clientele are reaching out more frequently. Partners are now choosing Kasama Tastings as their go-to for wine and NA wine tasting experiences. I’m excited to see how these partnerships blossom throughout 2025 and how Kasama Tastings continues to thrive as a result!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kasamatastings.com
- Instagram: @kasamatastings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/kasamatastings
Image Credits
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