Updated: Nov 19, 2021
Founder & Instructor
nlerpelding@vinelabwine.com
Nikki’s enthusiasm for all aspects of the food and wine industry are contagious. Her storied career includes experience from restaurant management, boutique wholesale to wine retail. Nikki is the Sr. Director of Retail Sales for Top Ten Liquors, a 12 store (and growing) local chain.
Nikki is presently studying with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) to gain her Diploma, WSET’s flagship qualification. In 2017 Nikki co-founded Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy — not her first endeavor into wine education, as she has fondly taught the Wine Professional Certificate program at Saint Paul College since 2011.
"Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil"
~ Lord Byron
Some of Nikki’s wine favorites (when she is not enjoying rosé) include: Muscadet, Sancerre, Chablis, Verdicchio, Soave, Grillo, Aglianico, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Sparkling wine, and many more...
Join Nikki sharing her love of wine (and her puggle, Parker and 2 cute kittens) at...
Nikki's Certifications
French Wine Scholar, Wine Scholar Guild, 2020
Italian Wine Scholar, Wine Scholar Guild, 2019
Currently Enrolled, WSET Diploma
WSET Level 3 Award in Wine & Spirits, 2014
Court of Master Sommelier Intro, 2013
Instructor Saint Paul College WPC, 2011
Saint Paul College Wine Professional Certificate or CWP, 2006