Hidden Gems: Meet Andrew Brewer of Lessons From The Vine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Brewer.

Hi Andrew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From football to wine, It is an unusual story, but it is my story. After playing college ball at Northwestern University, I decided to pursue the opportunity to play professionally. I bounced around several teams but have yet to be able to land a spot long-term. I decided it was time for a change of scenery.

In 2014, I played my final American football season abroad in Parma, Italy. Little did I know how that experience would change the trajectory of my life. For 6 months, I got paid to tour Italy, play football, and eat as much pasta as my heart desired. As you can imagine, I fell in love with Italian culture—the people, the food, and especially the wine. I began to see and experience wine in a completely new way, considering I grew up in a “dry” household in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was hooked. I wanted more. I spent 4 years studying wine, reading every book I could about it, saving money to try certain wines, and even flying around the world to experience different wine regions.

Eventually, it was time to take my wine journey from a hobby to a profession. I moved to Napa Valley in 2018 and never looked back. With no formal experience or certifications in wine, I knocked on doors of tasting rooms, got hired, then started managing tasting rooms. Napa was such an incredible experience and immersion into the wine industry. I met some of my favorite people, learned an incredible amount about wine, and made some wonderful memories. For those of you who have spent time in Napa, you know what a special place it truly is. Not only that, Napa was a pivotal part of my healing and redemptive journey with the Lord. However, as the pandemic in 2020 set in, I felt Him calling me to Nashville for personal reasons. I put my wine aspiration on hold, packed up, and made my way to Tennessee.

What I thought I was moving to Nashville fell through before I even got here, but I showed up anyway. I didn’t have a job or place to stay, but it all worked out. What has been birthed in my time in Nashville has been incredible. In the spring of 2022, I started Lessons From The Vine, a private event company focused on wine education and experiences. I am passionate about people, genuine connection, and sharing meaningful experiences with others. Some of my favorite memories and adventures have always included great people and a bottle of wine around the table. Wine has allowed me to cultivate meaningful connections and experiences where it matters most, around the table.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to Nashville and starting a business indeed came with its challenges. Anyone who has had or started their own business knows the difficulties and surprises that come your way. I started my own fitness business (Redemption Fitness) in the fall of 2021, specifically focusing on helping people with nutrition and programming. A few months later, we took on a real estate project as a family. Meanwhile, I moved to Columbia, TN then 5 months later started Lessons From The Vine. I was working as many as 4 jobs to pay the bills and business expenses while driving anywhere from 400-500 miles a week to make it all happen. No doubt, quitting has often crossed my mind, especially when you are living paycheck to paycheck and building your own businesses. Silencing those voices between your ears was one of the tougher struggles to overcome. When things get tough, they grow from whispers to screams. “Are you sure this is worth it? Things would have been better if you had stayed in Napa. Is what you are doing even making a difference? You should hang it up and return to a 9-5.” The constant test of faith is where the battle lies. I am thankful for encouraging friends and family to support me. Most importantly, I am grateful for God’s goodness along the way. Whenever I have wine, I am reminded how it played a pivotal role in turning me back toward him.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lessons From The Vine focuses on private events in both home and corporate settings. For in-home experiences, we focus on a more intimate group of 8-12 people. We can accommodate larger groups upon request. Each experience is a customized wine tasting of 5 wines with an optional charcuterie board. We will cover topics like how to taste wine, how it is made, and the uniqueness of various growing regions worldwide. Whether learning about a classic wine region like Bordeaux, France, or exploring the lesser-known wine regions of South Africa, we can curate an educational flight to your specific area of interest. Generally, our private experience focus on the wine flight itself. However, if you are interested in providing a private in-home experience or corporate experience that involves a food and wine pairing, that can be arranged with a private chef. We also offer virtual tastings for corporate events for you, your staff, and your clients.

We also offer services for private wine buying and collecting. Whether hosting events or collecting rare wines, allow us to introduce you to some exclusive brands and cellar-worthy wines from around the world. We have you covered, from the best Tuesday night pizza wines to the top-tier wines from Napa Valley. With our expertise, we will get your hands on the most incredible wines to suit any occasion.

Regardless of your choice, we believe in providing much more than just education. Our purpose is to gather around the table to build genuine connections and memorable experiences and make wine more enjoyable.

So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
As Lessons From The Vine grows, opportunities for collaboration with caterers, chefs, and event spaces will be needed. As far as support goes, word-of-mouth references have been crucial for our growth. If you have wine-loving friends, let me know!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lessonsfromthevine.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthevine/

Image Credits
Caroline Stremic Photography