Episode Summary In this episode, Joe sits down with Nicholas Poletto, Vice President of Wine Education at Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits. Nick shares his unconventional journey into the wine world—starting from a job he hated, to selling wine in Manhattan, to moving to New Zealand to learn winemaking, and ultimately becoming one of the most respected wine educators in the industry. The conversation covers how he discovered his passion for wine, what his job really entails (both the romantic and the gritty parts), his pursuit of the elite Master of Wine title, and why the people in the wine industry make it all worthwhile. Nick also paints a vivid picture of what he calls the most romantic wine destination on earth. Whether you're a wine lover, a curious professional, or someone dreaming about a career in wine, this episode is packed with inspiration and insider perspective. Key Topics & Highlights Nick's Unlikely Origin Story His first "real job" was a miserable relocation-company gig in a windowless office. A coworker suggested the wine industry because he loved languages and travel. His first wine experience? Volunteering for a tiny New Hampshire winery on weekends. Within six months he was selling wine in New York City. Breaking Into Wine Sales Started in 100% commission sales — "what you kill is what you eat." A pivotal moment: losing a major sales opportunity because he didn't know what Sancerre was. That failure became the turning point that drove him to pursue formal education through WSET. Education Changed Everything WSET opened the door to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, and beyond. Once he gained knowledge, accounts started calling him — his "aha" moment. Led him to teach WSET and build a strong foundation in wine theory. A Life-Changing Leap Despite big earnings, Nick quit his job to move to New Zealand and learn winemaking firsthand. Worked in vineyards, scrubbed tanks, explored the entire country. Returned to the U.S. and joined Kobrand, eventually becoming VP of Wine Education. What a Wine Educator Really Does Trains distributor sales teams across the entire U.S. Teaches eight-hour seminars (intermediate + advanced). Creates educational materials, books, presentations, and a training podcast. Travels extensively domestically and internationally to visit producers. Gains rare behind‑the‑scenes access at wineries, vineyards, and cellars. The Glamorous Side (Yes, There Is One) Visiting world-class estates around the globe. Foot-treading grapes, learning barrel-making, touring historic caves. Experiencing local cuisine with winemakers — the true insider version. Witnessing wine regions in their natural beauty: Rhone cliffs, Douro terraces, Piedmont hills. Nick's First Wine Love: Barolo The region of Barolo in Piedmont gave him his personal "Aha!" wine moment. A vineyard tasting showed him how wines made identically can taste completely different due to terroir just 10 feet apart. That realization cemented his lifelong passion. The Most Romantic Wine Destination: Beaune, France Nick's pick for the most magical spot in the wine world: The village of Beaune in Burgundy. Cobblestone streets, markets, fireside cafés, truffle-centered cuisine. A perfect bicycle route through legendary villages like Volnay, Pommard, and Montrachet. An unforgettable day of bread, cheese, vineyard views, and world-class Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. So You Want Nick's Job? Start with education (WSET, Society of Wine Educators, Court of Master Sommeliers). Get frontline experience with a distributor to understand the sales side. Be prepared for travel, airports, long days, and lots of time away from home. The reward? A job filled with passion, authenticity, and incredible people. Nick's Podcast Kobrand Sips & Selling Tips A 5-minute-per-episode educational resource designed for sales teams—but open to all. Available on all major podcast platforms. On Libsyn: https://kobrand.libsyn.com/ On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tQdPXdY2jDwqslTSlvP1b On Apple Podcasts (iTunes): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kobrand-sips-selling-tips/id1595188132 Guest Nicholas Poletto Vice President of Wine Education Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits You can also find more wine, food, and entertaining tips at the home of Inside Wine Podcast - https://Wine365.com If you enjoy this episode please be sure to subscribe (it's free!) and also pass along to a friend, thank you!
