Raised with four siblings on a fifth-generation dairy farm in rural Wisconsin, community and hard work have always been constants in Kari’s life. She stuck out from the start—in a good way—earning a reputation for her quick wit and starring in dozens of musicals growing up. (She was Annie. Twice.)

Kari’s light soon grew so bright her small town couldn’t contain her, so she made her way to Nashville to pursue a degree in music business at Belmont University. Over the decade she called Music City home, Kari fell in love with wine—and the hospitality that comes with it. While managing a wine bar in Nashville’s hip 12 South neighborhood, Kari rubbed elbows with industry stars who came in for a sip—and who shot back down to earth to become her friends. Once they learned about her sharp eye and soulfully curated aesthetic, they asked her to help organize their homes, plan their events, and cherry-pick their wardrobes, too.

When she turned 30, Kari set her sights west, landing in Portland, Oregon in 2012. Here, she fell more deeply in love with wine at ENSO, where she learned every step of winemaking from grape to glass. After managing the urban winery for almost a decade, Kari brought all of her skill and experience together to do what only she could: create a wine club that’s part party, part church service, and all good wine and company. She knows every single one of her members by name, and everyone’s greeted with a hug at the door—and if you don’t know anyone else in the room yet, don't worry. By the end of the night, you will. Kari will make sure of it.

When she’s not hosting the wine club to end all wine clubs, you can find Kari practicing asanas at Firelight Yoga or wandering in nature with a friend. If you catch her with a glass of wine in her hand—which is likely—it’s probably Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But go ahead and ask her. She’ll tell you all about it.