Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Barber Jennipher Walters.
Hi Lisa Barber, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Both of us were lovers of wine before we’d even met, and we decided to make studying for WSET certification (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) our COVID hobby. Our classes were held online as the fly-over state mentality of the Midwest extended to wine education as well. The closest in-person classes were 8+ hours away. We formed a wine group of like-minded women to expand our palates (and have more people to pay for more wine), and before we knew it, we’d taken the next two levels of WSET. We then extended our network to include women in the wine industry in Kansas City, led by fellow wine professional, Lindsey Murrell (WSET 3).
Along the way, we started teaching classes to make wine more approachable and fun – classes like Pop Rocks and Bubbles (junk food pairings) and Smells Like Holiday Spirit (wines that go with Thanksgiving dinner). We officially formed our business, Wine Schooled KC, in 2024 and began our effort to bring WSET in-person education to the greater Kansas City area. Because community is at the heart of what we believe in, one of the first things we wanted to do was create a wine calendar to unify all of the events in the metro that involved wine, to show the vibrant wine community that already existed. In addition, we offer private events, industry education, tutoring, and general wine consultation. And after working with WSET for over a year, we were able to secure partnership with American Wine School out of Chicago (female owned) to offer WSET Level 1 and 2 in-person classes. We’ll be hosted by Pinot’s Palette in Leawood, Kansas (also female owned).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a completely smooth road. Some have questioned the viability of a Kansas City “wine scene.” There is also still gatekeeping on who is or isn’t considered part of the industry at large. But we think the rapid expansion of our wine tasting group shows that there’s a market here, and people are hungry to learn and form connections over wine. At the risk of being overly philosophical, wine is more than a delicious beverage: it’s a social conduit sparking conversation and leading to greater connection which is ultimately what we all want in life.
We’ve been impressed with Wine Schooled KC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We formed Wine Schooled KC with the intent that we would help fill the gaps in the wine community that we perceived as we were going through our WSET studies. Our goal has always been to teach WSET in-person classes in Kansas City which we will do for the first time in June 2026. Secondarily we wanted to make education fun for those folks who might be less serious about their wine journey. We’ve taught classes in various local restaurants as well as in private homes. What sets us apart is our approach that seeks to remove any pretention and to get folks outside their comfort zone in a good way – don’t think you like Chardonnay? Let’s try this Chablis. Think there isn’t any good wine under $20? Let me introduce you to Greek wines.
Above all, we want people to feel confident that wine doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. There are countless ways to learn—whether through private or public classes, formal certification, or simply building a strong foundation. We’re proud to be part of Kansas City’s growing wine scene and to help more people discover what makes wine so enjoyable.
What’s next?
We will be offering WSET level one in June with plans for level two to follow. We’re a two-woman show currently, but we have the network to expand with more instructors who have various expertise even beyond WSET. We’ve been dabbling in apparel (with more ideas than time at the moment!) and are working on some other ways to make wine education more fun. So, really, we’re just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wineschooledkc.com
- Instagram: @wineschooledkc
- Facebook: Wine Schooled KC
- LinkedIn: Wine Schooled KC
- Other: Tik Tok: Wine Schooled KC
