Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Viray Lai
Kristine Viray, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was never into wine until the end of my college days. Growing up as a Filipino-American – wine was present only at church (when the priest served the ‘blood of Christ’). My wine journey started casually, sipping wine here and there without much thought. It wasn’t until my time at the University of Virginia, visiting Charlottesville wineries, that wine became more than just a drink. It was a full experience. I fell in love with exploring new vineyards with friends, taking in rolling hills, sharing laughter, and enjoying picnics under the sun. In terms of wine, every glass tasted the same – simply grapes and alcohol!
After college, I became a High School Chemistry and Physics teacher in Louisiana through Teach for America. Every day was a challenge, and my wine consumption skyrocketed. Wine calmed my nerves and paired well with endless seasons of Bachelor Nation. With a teacher salary, the more I consumed, the more I realized I needed to make better budget choices when selecting wine. After 2 years of teaching, I moved back to Virginia, and my interest in wine continued to grow. This curiosity led me to my first wine course with the Capital Wine School in DC. There, the world of wine unlocked knowledge that completely changed my relationship with wine. I became more aware of my consumption and learned to appreciate the quality, source, aromas, flavors, and overall experience of one sip of wine. I took my wine studies to the next level and after attaining Level 3 with merit from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), I knew there was a ton of wine knowledge to share with the world.
I began hosting virtual and in-person tastings with my friends and co-workers for fun. I even conducted a wine tasting on a podcast! It wasn’t until one of my co-workers requested a non-alcoholic (NA) option that I incorporated NA wines in my tastings. The NA wine market is growing, and there are a few hidden gems out there. My favorite part about hosting wine tastings is seeing folks start to understand basic wine concepts, how wine pairs with food, and sensations on their palate. Sometimes, I see clients do a little dance after taking a sip of a Texas Tempranillo or an NA red with dark chocolate. Clearly, there is something about this experience that made wine education easy and so much more enjoyable. In 2023, I founded Kasama Tastings to make wine education fun, accessible, and, most importantly, inclusive for everyone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With only a year and some change as a business, Kasama Tastings continues to learn and grow as we go! The largest challenge for me was taking the initial leap to draft a business plan and start. I wanted to start my own business for a while, but felt like I never had the right idea, time, or capital to do so. As a type A, planner, ESFJ-type person, starting a business without a very clear and detailed plan seemed like an endless black hole. After talking to various mentors, the best piece of advice I received was to just do it. Don’t overthink, just do.
I experienced many setbacks and struggles – inaccurate pricing, unresponsive partners, growing clientele, wine order delays, mistakes, and much more. It’s all feedback. Once I started building, creating, and networking with other women wine enthusiasts, creators, and entrepreneurs – I gained the confidence to keep going after my mission. Each day presents a new challenge that pushes me out of my comfort zone, but that seems to make me and my business better the next time around.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
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.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Booking a private tasting is simple – DM us on Instagram or fill out the form on our website. Once scheduled, a certified wine consultant will reach out to customize your experience based on your wine preferences and budget. Our virtual tastings and in-person tastings include wines, wine-tasting guides, a sommelier-led experience, and food pairing suggestions. On the day of your tasting, we’ll handle everything from set up to clean up. Relax as our Somms guide you through how to see, smell, savor, and rate three wines (or non-alcoholic options). After the tasting experience, you’ll have access to a personal sommelier and leftover wines to keep! Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette/bachelor parties, corporate events, and more, Kasama Tastings invites you on an inclusive journey to find your palate – because, ultimately, everyone deserves to love the wine they’re with!
Pricing:
- Virtual Tastings start at $125
- In-Person Tastings start at $175
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kasamatastings.com
- Instagram: @kasamatastings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasamatastings
