.png)
What a Wine & Whiskey tasting really looks like
- samantha mercado
- Jan 5
- 4 min read
When people hear “wine tasting” or “bourbon tasting,” they often picture a bar, a retail event, or someone pouring drinks behind a table. What I offer is something very different.
Wine & Whiskey is a mobile, education-first tasting experience designed to help people understand what they’re drinking, why it tastes the way it does, and how to talk about it with confidence — all in a fun, relaxed setting at your own location.
A Fully Guided Experience — At Your Location
I travel to your home, office, venue, or event space and host structured wine or whiskey tastings for private groups. These experiences are ideal for:
Fundraisers
Corporate and office events
Client appreciation
Employee engagement activities
Birthday and anniversary parties
Girls’ night out
Family gatherings
Private group celebrations
The host provides the alcohol and food, and I handle everything else:
Professional glassware
Tasting notes (printed or digital)
Guided instruction throughout the tasting
An educational presentation, often shared on the client’s TV or screen
Every tasting is designed so guests feel comfortable, included, and engaged, whether they’re beginners or seasoned enthusiasts.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
All tastings are $35 per person.
This covers the education, glassware, tasting materials, and presentation. Alcohol is never sold or provided by me — the host supplies all bottles, allowing flexibility, customization, and compliance.
Whiskey Tastings: Education Beyond the Bottle
Whiskey tastings can focus on bourbon, rye, scotch, blended whiskey, or themed comparisons. Depending on the group, tastings may explore:
Bourbon vs. rye
Aged vs. unaged whiskey
Bottled-in-Bond
Proof and barrel strength
Mash bills and distillation methods
History, heritage, and production processes
Guests learn how to smell, swirl, sip, identify flavors, and understand how grain, barrel, aging, and proof shape what’s in the glass.
Wine Tastings for Real People (Not Pretentious Ones)
Wine tastings are equally educational and approachable. Topics may include:
Wine tasting basics
Varietals and regions
Structure (acid, tannin, body)
Food pairing concepts
Red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines
The goal is not to overwhelm guests with jargon, but to help them feel confident ordering wine, pairing it with food, and enjoying it without intimidation.
Custom Tastings & Personal Collections
No two groups are the same. Tastings can be customized based on:
Experience level
Group size
Budget
Theme or educational focus
Personal bottle collections
If you’ve been saving special bottles or want to build a tasting around a specific concept, I help structure the experience so it flows naturally and makes sense for your group.
Built on 16+ Years in the Wine & Spirits Industry
Wine & Whiskey is built on experience, not trends.
I have spent over 16 years in the wine and spirits business, beginning in Cleveland with three local distributors — Purple Feet, Solera, and Wine Trends. My territory covered Toledo through downtown Cleveland, giving me hands-on experience with retailers, restaurants, private clients, and consumers across Northeast Ohio.
I later stepped into leadership roles as an Area Manager with Winesellers, followed by Laird & Company, where I expanded my experience in portfolio management, education, and brand representation. This foundation allows me to translate industry knowledge into information that’s practical, approachable, and engaging for real people.
Education, Credentials & Certifications
Education is at the core of everything I do.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts & Science degree from Whiskey University in Columbia, Tennessee, where I am also a Certified Whiskey Instructor. Whiskey University offers over 200 structured courses, and I am 55 classes deep, continuing to build advanced knowledge across distillation, sensory evaluation, whiskey styles, history, and production.
Additional credentials and affiliations include:
Certified Bourbon Steward (Stave & Thief Society)
Tennessee Squire Association (Jack Daniel’s)
Bardstown Whiskey Society (Heaven Hill)
Blade & Bow “5 Keys Club”
Band of Rebels (LuxCo / Rebel Yell)
King’s Circle (MGP / Remus)
Coopers Club (Nelson’s Green Brier)
High West Whiskey Club
WSET Level 2
Wine Folly 101
These certifications ensure that tastings are not only fun, but accurate, responsible, and rooted in industry best practices.
Wine Industry & Brand Ambassador Experience
In addition to spirits education, I am also a Brand Ambassador for Boisset Collection wines, working with a diverse portfolio that spans regions, varietals, and winemaking styles. This role further strengthens my ability to teach wine in a way that is both informed and approachable.
Rooted in Northeast Ohio
I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio my entire life and currently reside in Westlake with my husband, David Mercado. We have four children — Aubrey, Kelsey, Carter, and Jackson — and two dogs named Barley and Rye, which feels especially fitting given my line of work.
In September 2025, Aubrey made us grandparents for the first time — a role I proudly embrace.
My husband owns his own Merrill Lynch practice, working out of Pepper Pike and Crocker Park, keeping our family deeply connected to both the East and West sides of Cleveland.
Wine & Whiskey is not just a business here — it is part of the community I’ve always called home.
Education First. Always.
Wine & Whiskey tastings are guided educational experiences, not bar service or catering. They are designed to:
Teach people how to taste
Explain why flavors exist
Help guests discover what they actually enjoy
Create conversation and connection
Whether it’s wine or bourbon, the focus is always the same: learning without pressure, fun without pretense, and an experience people remember long after the last glass.
If you’re looking for a tasting that’s engaging, educational, and hosted right where you are, Wine & Whiskey brings the experience to you.
Comments