The Asheville School of Wine was founded in 2014 by Gina Trippi, John Kerr, Kendal Klein, and Andy Hale at Metro Wines. Our goal is to educate, inspire and encourage knowledge of wine in Asheville, and to help make it a worldwide culinary destination. We aim to provide the citizens of Asheville with the tools to become educated and knowledgeable consumers of wine, as well as giving the food and beverage professionals the skills to provide world class service and increase their tip percentages.
Our curriculum consists of the practical, from how to set up a cellar to properly decanting a wine, to the advanced classes on geography, regions and famous wines of the world. We also offer classes geared toward food and beverage professionals about proper wine service, sales techniques and advanced restaurant skills.
Our classes are taught by Andy Hale and John Kerr along with guest lecturers from time to time.
John hails from Napa Valley, California and has been involved in wine is several capacities his entire life. He has also had over 25 years of teaching experience in a range of subjects before opening his own wine shop with Gina in 2013.
Andy is a former sommelier from the Five Star, Five Diamond rated Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. He has over ten years of experience in the food and beverage community and has also worked in wine distribution. He is a Certified Specialist of Wine and has passed the first level Sommelier exam.
Read an article about Andy Hale and the Blind Tasting League from the Mountain Xpress