Howdy Everyone! A few updates this week: 1. Being part of Slik Skool, I'm giving every active user on here an Advanced Reader Copy of my book, How To Read A Wine Label (I know the Slik Skool was split between 1 and 2, but 1 has a wider appeal, so we're going with that!). If you're reading this and want one, write a comment down below so I know you're interested. 2. Due to popular demand, I put another Q&A session in the calendar. This time, I put in a Coffee Hour Q&A instead of a Happy Hour one for the 20th! I put a poll down below to see if you like the idea of a coffee Q&A or want to only do Happy Hours. I'm such a morning person that I love this idea but want to see how you guys feel. 3. @Kimberly Kaplan asked for some New Orleans recommendations after I went a month ago, so thanks for your patience on this, but here's a list I've gathered from my chef friend. I'd also add Pluck to the list of wine bars to check out. You won't find a lot of the classic spots because the chef friend used to live there, so he likes going a bit more off the beaten path. Classics I'd recommend are Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, or Antoine's if you've never been to NOLA.

Hi everyone! Jumping on the wine rec bandwagon to ask if anyone has any favorites from New Zealand and/or suggestions for wineries to visit in New Zealand? We'll be there for about a week and a half in November (definitely doesn't feel like long enough) and while it's not a wine trip, I'd love to sneak in a few visits if we can!

Howdy Slik Skool! I hope this message finds you sipping something delicious :) I wanted to take a moment to share an update about where we’re headed and the exciting things on the horizon. Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken some time to recharge creatively and plan an amazing slate of in-person events for 2025! Think Champagne 101, New World vs. Old World, A Guide to Mexican Wine, and even a Sopranos-themed wine-tasting class—fun, right? These events will take place at Chicago-based shops and restaurants, and I can’t wait to bring them to life. On top of that, I’m deep into writing my book (with a big deadline in mid-February), which I’m so excited to share with you when it’s ready. It’ll be a fantastic resource for all wine lovers, and I think you’ll really enjoy it. What does this mean for Slik Skool? To make space for these new projects, I need to take a step back from being as active in the Slik Skool community and hosting virtual events. I know this might feel like a shift, but I’m making adjustments to ensure you still get great value while I navigate this exciting (but busy!) chapter. Starting December 15th, the monthly price will be adjusted to $19, and here’s a break down of what that will include: What stays the same? - The Classroom will remain an excellent resource for all things wine education. - The community page is open for questions, discussions, and sharing discoveries. - I’ll jump in a monthly Q&A session where I’ll answer your burning wine questions if the group hasn’t already nailed it. What’s different? - While I’ll pop in to start conversations from time to time, I won’t be able to respond to DMs or lead virtual events moving forward. - The calendar is updated with in-person events (if you’re in Chicago, come join!), as well as the next Q&A date. I can’t thank you enough for being part of Slik Skool. Your support means the world to me, and this community has always been about making wine approachable, fun, and social. Even with these changes, I’m committed to keeping that spirit alive.

Hello! I see some of you have signed up for Q&As on Calendly which is awesome! I'm using that as data for finding the best time to meet up as a group. Can you answer this poll for me to help me out even more? Bonus points if you let me know if weekdays or weekends work better for you! Thank you everyone :)

As if I needed another one… but could be helpful convincing some others :) from a fun book I just picked up and shared with Happy Hour — fun way to see the history of wine through the ages and around the world!