"Step into who you truly are and live the life you’ve imagined."

Tami McKay

Hi, I'm Tami McKay

This is my Story 

Hi, I’m Tami McKay, and I’m excited to welcome you to my corner of the wine world! I’ve spent my career diving deep into the art and science of winemaking, earning multiple awards along the way and becoming a professional winemaker at one of the largest wine companies in the United States. But my journey didn’t start there. It began as a hobby wine enthusiast becoming a home artisan winemaker where I first fell in love with the intricate dance of flavors, textures, challenges, and the rich stories behind every bottle.

Over the years, I realized that my joy isn’t just in crafting exceptional wines but in sharing this passion with others. While teaching others how to understand the art and science behind wine tasting and winemaking, I realized that this was the catalyst that also ignited their passion for wine. 

My Story: A Journey of Passion, Resilience, and Transformation

From the dance floor to the vineyards, my life has been anything but ordinary. Before I became an award-winning winemaker and educator, my first passion was the art of dance. For over a decade, I thrived as a professional dancer and choreographer, immersing myself in long days and nights of rehearsals and performances. It was a life filled with artistry, deep discipline, and passion—until an unexpected illness struck and left me bedridden for three long years.

Finding Strength in Adversity

After finding no help or support for my condition from the mainstream medical community I felt scared and alone.  But I remained determined not to be defined by this challenge, so I embarked on a journey of self-healing through sheer willpower, relentless work, and perseverance. When I emerged stronger, I faced another life-altering moment: suddenly leaving an abusive marriage with no job, no savings, no car, and nowhere to go. It was in these moments of uncertainty and adversity that I found my resilience and began to rebuild my life from the ground up.

A New Chapter: From Wine Enthusiast to Wine Professional

With a newfound determination, I transformed my love of wine—a hobby that brought moments of joy and connection—into a full-fledged career. I went back to college to master the science of winemaking and started at the ground level as a wine lab technician. From there, I rose through the ranks to become an enologist, production winemaker, and finally, a brand winemaker producing over 500,000 cases a year for one of the largest wine companies in the U.S. Along the way, I earned multiple awards and became known for my dedication to the creation of great wines with an emphasis on structure, balance, consistency and artistry.

The Cost of Success

But with this rapid ascent came the price of relentless stress. The intense production schedules and high demands led to severe adrenal exhaustion and other stress-related health challenges, coupled with rapid weight gain and burnout. It was a reminder that even the most passionate pursuits require balance and self-care.

Reclaiming Wellness and Sharing My Passion

Now, I am on a new path—one that embraces both my love for wine and my dedication to well-being. I am focusing on my health, rediscovering balance, and building my own wine education business. My goal is to bring joy to people through wine—guiding and inspiring others by blending my winemaking and tasting expertise with a passion for connection and shared experiences. I want to empower wine enthusiasts to explore, learn, and savor every sip without the intimidating aspects often associated with wine culture.

Why I Do What I Do

I believe life is best lived with warmth, connection, and joy. Whether I’m helping others appreciate wine or fostering moments of well-being that enhance life’s richness, my goal is to make the world a little brighter—one glass at a time.