Today is my birthday. And if you’d told me 10 years ago that Diego Valeri would one day be helping me celebrate, I would have said you’d taken one too many soccer balls to the head…

Birthdays were always a big deal to me. As a homeschooled kid, I craved socialization, and a party meant exactly that. My parents even kept pink frosting and sprinkles on hand because I was known to throw spontaneous celebrations… the cat’s birthday, the leaves falling, or just a random Tuesday. Frost some toast, add candles, invite the neighbor kids (or just the cats), and boom: party achieved.

I’ve always loved elaborate birthdays, even as an adult… 80s prom themes, murder mysteries, even an outer space dinosaur disco (I won’t tell you how old I was for that one). But this year all I wanted was simple: a table with my favorite people, good food, and great wine. Because, sure, silly outfits and decorations are fun; but it’s the laughter and conversation (that grow increasingly louder with every bottle) that you remember.

I know we don’t need wine to connect authentically, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t help.

So as I’m looking forward to my simple birthday celebration and also to leading How to Speak Wine, I realized that I’m modeling this course on that exact experience: a chance to gather in an unpretentious space, sip killer wines, and learn along the way. 

Sure, you’ll gain confidence in shops and restaurants, and yes, you’ll save money by finding bottles you actually love. But mostly? It’s about joy, connection, and adding a little more fun to your life. Because I don’t know about you,  but that’s what I’m after these days.

Here’s the gist:

• A curated case of wine sent straight to you
• One digital lesson each week to watch on your own time
• Weekly live tastings to laugh, ask questions, and practice our new wine vocab
• A private community to swap recs, play challenges, and make the knowledge stick 

We’ll meet through November and December — the coziest months of the year. Enrollment closes October 5 (so I can get wine shipped in time), and spots are very limited to keep it small and personal.

LEARN HOW TO SPEAK WINE

Diego Valeri & Federico Garobbio — Conur Wines
Yes, that Diego Valeri of Portland Timbers fame. Since leaving the MLS, he and his best friend Fede have thrown themselves into winemaking; bringing Argentine styles to the Pacific Northwest. Their humility and learner’s mindset is the perfect antidote to the intimidation that too often surrounds wine. 

Tiquette Bramlett — Henderson Ave.
A former opera singer turned wine industry powerhouse. Tiquette was the first Black woman to run a U.S. winery, one of USA’s today Women of the Year and is now building her own brand, Henderson Ave. Tiquette’s energy and wisdom are unmatched, and you’llI walk away feeling both inspired and braver.

Grant Coulter & Renée St. Amour — Hundred Suns
Grant brings serious winemaking chops, and Renée brings warmth, perspective, and community spirit. Together, they’re one of Oregon’s most exciting rising-star producers. Their wines, much like them, are delightful, and you’ll love how approachable and transparent they make the whole process. 

These special guests will join us for hour-long virtual conversions where you can hear their powerful stories and ask them questions directly. That’s three bonus hours of live instruction from some pretty special people.

If you’re thinking about joining, consider this your sign. October 5 is only seven days away, and spots are filling up fast, so save yours while there’s still time.

I can’t wait to hang out with great bottles and great people (you!) all season long ✨

Cheers,
Kelsey

LEARN HOW TO SPEAK WINE