Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki Erpelding. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nikki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I actually wanted to be a photographer, it was when I was studying photography and working as a server that I switched my career to restaurant manager. This is important because what I didn’t know was, when you run a restaurant, you may also by-default manage the beverage program. As I created drink recipes, met with distributors, went to trade shows, I organically started to learn about wine and spirits. It was the part of my job that kept me engaged, and interested in learning more.

It was a little later on in my career when I went to work at a higher profile restaurant with a world class 11 course tasting menu, and I had to select the pairings, I had to level up quick! Anyone that knows me, knows I am always up for a challenge, this led me to St. Paul College and the Wine Professional Certificate, a semester course designed for hospitality pros. The course was ideal, it taught me how to write wine menu, organize a wine dinner, food and wine pairing, professional wine service, and we worked through the wines of the world every week, tasting and learning typicity of each region.

After taking the course, I was confident with my new base knowledge to build upon. Five years later, I was asked to take over the Wine Professional Certificate at St. Paul College. This was the risk that set everything in motion, in my head there were so many doubts. As a new adjunct instructor, I was learning to build lesson plans, I was coaching students and shaping their perception of wine, it was incredible. We became a community and continue to share our love of wine and travel together.

In 2014, a group of us studied for 4 months to take a wine certification from WSET, Wine & Spirits Education Trust, we went to Philadelphia to take the exam and it was so much fun a few of us entered into the diploma program, right after. But 2 of us really saw the need to bring WSET certifications to Minnesota and that is what we did in 2017. This was the second big risk, starting a business – Yikes! I will have to say that it was a great decision, my partner bowed out in 2020 but I kept Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy going.

After 5 years It is still a very part time endeavor but I now have 9 instructors and have branched out to teach multiple different certifications, from The Wine Scholar Guild to Sake Sommelier Association and customized learning.

Taking these risks has paid off in so many ways. I have met incredible people, taken amazing wine trips around the world and could not have done this without that first wine course.

I feel like this industry chose me and I am very grateful.

Nikki, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy

A wine school currently offering certifications and customized in person classes
9 amazing instructors

WSET – Wine & Spirits Education Trust, levels 1,2,3 in wines – soon to offer spirits levels 1,2
level 1 & 2 are usually offered 4x per year, level 3 offered 1x per year

Sake Sommelier Association – Intro to Sake Professional – a 2.5 hour Sake primer
Offered 4x per year

Wine Scholar Guild – French, Italian and Spanish Wine Scholar courses
We hope to offer each course 1x per year

Customized classes – Team building – upon request

For more information visit us at www.vinelabwine.com

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being a part of the community. Working in the industry, I worked in hospitality, retail and the supplier world.
Learning about as many facets of the industry and trying to be inclusive to all.

Giving back, taking part in industry charity events, mentoring and coaching others is really important.
I donate certificates for auction items and give scholarships. I will always try to lend a hand when I can.

Being kind, genuine and generous.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently pivoting from a wine focus to a spirits focus. There are so many spirits crazes going on and I want to offer that same level of expertise that I have with wine.

Right now I am focusing on elevating my spirits knowledge to the same degree as my wine knowledge.
I am surprised at how hard it is, I guess I thought it would be easier.

I am currently enrolled in WSET spirits level 3, Wish me luck – don’t worry, I won’t abandon wine…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vinelabwine.com
• Instagram: vinelabwine
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wineowirl/

Image Credits
Credit: Kristen Olson of Quincy Street Kitchen https://www.quincystreetkitchen.com/about-us