Two Wine Guide posing for fun on the beach

Real people

We love sharing stories from real Wine Guides who are enjoying the fun, flexibility, fulfillment and friendship of being a Wine Guide with Traveling Vineyard, all while earning extra income to meet personal goals, like covering the kids’ activities, saving up for a new car or vacation, or setting money side for a rainy day. The beauty of working from home marketing wine is that you’re in charge. Sharing wine with the world is a bonus!

Read Real Testimonials

Traveling Vineyard—through my wine tastings, company-sponsored training events, and people that I’ve met within the company—has helped me grow as a mom, wife, friend, entrepreneur, and person.

Tanya Van Someren | Wisconsin

Tanya’s Story | Flexibility to Make the Most of Family Time

Wine Guide Tanya Van Someren

I was attracted to Traveling Vineyard because of the product, who doesn’t love wine? I made the decision to join after learning that I could have a flexible schedule and conduct wine tastings when it worked for me. At that time my boys were nine months and three years old and I needed and wanted a way to earn extra cash for our family while still being able to stay home with the kids. My boys are now 10 and 13, and we all enjoy the flexibility that my schedule offers so we can take day trips to the water park, take our kayaks on the lake to catch some fish, and I can chaperone school field trips. Traveling Vineyard—through my wine tastings, company-sponsored training events, and people that I’ve met within the company—has helped me grow as a mom, wife, friend, entrepreneur, and person. I have gained confidence, leadership and communication skills and a whole new level of appreciation for wine and food. I joined for the financial reward, but I’ve stayed because of the fun, flexibility and friendships.

I love spending more time with my family and friends, waking up every morning excited about my “job”, and having the flexibility to schedule my life anyway I please.

Niqui Douglas | California

Niqui’s Story | From Part-Time Parties to Retirement Plan

Wine Guide Niqui Douglas

Traveling Vineyard began as something I thought would just be for fun. It’s wine, and I would be paid to share it with others (win-win). I quickly discovered it would be so much more! I saw this as an opportunity to build a business for my second career (also known as retirement). While working as an executive for a Fortune 50 communications company, traveling nationwide 75% of the time, I found any available moments to touch my side hustle. I met so many amazing people that have become lifelong friends. We were having so much fun wine “working” together that I didn’t immediately realize I’d built a strong business and team, doing this very part-time. I recently left that corporate career of 20 years to run my wine business full-time. It’s been one blessing after another! I love spending more time with my family and friends, waking up every morning exciting about my “job”, and having the flexibility to schedule my life anyway I please. Work travel has a new meaning and it’s often tax deductible!

As a military spouse there are relatively few professions that I can carry with me from one state to the next without having to re-certify or apply for new licensing, etc. Being a Wine Guide affords me the flexibility that many other careers would not.

Elizabeth Allen | North Carolina

Elizabeth’s Story | Working in Wine as a Military Spouse and Mom

Wine Guide Elizabeth Allen picks Syrah grapes

I have been a Wine Guide for almost eight years and it’s really hard to pick just one of our “5Fs” that I connect with more than others. This wine gig has been so much more than a side hustle. As a military spouse there are relatively few professions that I can carry with me from one state to the next without having to re-certify or apply for new licensing, etc. Being a Wine Guide affords me the flexibility that many other careers would not. I live in a world where the needs of the Coast Guard almost always come first for my husband and I’m proud to support him, and also help support my family with additional wine income. The coolest benefits of my time as a Wine Guide so far have been pretty unexpected. I was honored with the role of keynote speaker last year. I found a hidden talent in public speaking, something I never dreamed I would love, and I am actually pretty good at it! As a wine guide, I’ve rediscovered myself. Often parents, moms especially, are so defined by that part of our identity, it’s easy to forget the other things that make you who you are. Traveling Vineyard gave me back to me. A sense of purpose outside of my family, even though my Wine Guide gig benefits my family tremendously. I’m a Wine Guide for life.

Financial reward attracted me to the business but the ‘F’ that has come to the forefront is Fulfillment. I’ve learned so much about myself, it has truly been a process of self-discovery.

Kisha Dlugos | West Virginia

Kisha’s Story | A Journey of Self-Discovery

Wine Guide Kisha Dlugos
The word serendipity sums up my journey with Traveling Vineyard. When I started my Traveling Vineyard business, I was merely looking for the F that initially draws us all in: financial reward. At the time, I was a busy mom and wife working as a full-time, salaried state employee. I simply wanted a way to make extra income to pay off medical bills. Am I a wine expert? Absolutely not. All I knew, and still know, is that I enjoy wine and if there was ever a perfect opportunity, this was it! I came into the selling world with zero experience (I never sold a thing prior to Traveling Vineyard) yet I have been very successful thanks to the support team from world headquarters, the business model and hard work and dedication. Financial reward attracted me to the business but the “F” that has come to the forefront is Fulfillment. I’ve learned so much about myself, it has truly been a process of self-discovery. I have gained the confidence of public speaking by sharing my knowledge with my fellow Wine Guides at our national Harvest conference, I have discovered that I have an eye for and major passion food photography … truly one big beautiful butterfly effect. I am thankful every day for the life-changing moments Traveling Vineyard has brought to me and my family.

I have started to be referred to as The Wine Guy by my guests and customers and have completely embraced it, truly living the #wineGUYlife in-person and online!

Troy Kuntz | North Dakota

Troy’s Story | Living the Wine Guy Life

Wine Guide Troy Kuntz

I joined Traveling Vineyard over six years ago and can’t imagine my life without it! Being an elementary school teacher in an oil field town, I originally became a Wine Guide for the flexibility and the financial reward, two of the company’s “5F’s”. What I did not expect to get from the business was a sense of purpose and a brand new family of wine lovers that extends across the country. Just like I do in the classroom, I put 100% of myself into everything I do. My Traveling Vineyard wine tasting events not only feature five of our phenomenal wines, but are they’re also jam-packed with fun, information, and personality. I have started to be referred to as “The Wine Guy” by my guests and customers and have completely embraced it, truly living the #wineGUYlife in-person and online! I now have a fully-stocked wine rack, a supplemental income that I can count on, and an incredible customer base that extends well-beyond my home state of North Dakota!

I have made endless friendships not only with fellow Wine Guides and teammates, but also customers.

Lisa Velazquez | Connecticut

Lisa’s Story | Endless Wine, Fun and Friendship

Wine Guide Lisa Velazquez

I am an independent Wine Guide and Team Leader with Traveling Vineyard. I started in January of 2017 just for fun, and of course wine. I always knew I loved wine, Merlot to be specific. During this wine-soaked journey, I realized that being a Wine Guide was more than just having fun and drinking great wine. After meeting other Wine Guides in my local area and following and applauding their every goal, I thought to myself, “I can do this too,” so I went ALL IN! I have made endless friendships not only with fellow Wine Guides and teammates, but also customers. Friendship, fun and flexibility is what makes Traveling Vineyard home for me. I never knew that wine would come coupled with so much fun and allow me to want to grow and learn more about wine. Traveling Vineyard is truly a godsend to me, and it has changed my life and it has made me blossom into an entrepreneur I did not think I could ever be.  I am so happy and cannot wait to see what the next few years will bring for me.

The ability to make a little extra money through the financial reward and the flexibility of being able to work my business when I wanted to work, without a minimum number of events or monthly quotas to obtain, was what originally drew me to this business opportunity.

Charlene Lucas | Pennsylvania

Charlene’s Story: Earning Extra Income on My Time

photo of wine guide Charlene Lucas

In 2016, after completing my MBA I was looking for a part-time opportunity that could help me add some additional income to the household budget when my student loan payments started. I have always enjoyed wine and when I found Traveling Vineyard through a Google search it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. In the beginning, the ability to make a little extra money through the financial reward and the flexibility of being able to work my business when I wanted to work, without a minimum number of events or monthly quotas to obtain is what originally drew me to this business opportunity. Fast forward 3 ½ years later, it is the fun that I have hosting events, in-home and virtually, as well as all of the wonderful people I have met and the close friendships that I have developed along the way that make me love my business more than ever.

I’ve learned, grown, and achieved so much over the past few years. I have stepped out of my comfort zone both personally and professionally.

Kim Kunchick | Georgia

Kim’s Story | Never Miss a Moment

Kim Kunchick is a Traveling Vineyard Wine Guide in Georgia

Flexibility was my number one “why” for becoming a Wine Guide. I needed to make money for some extras and to take some financial burden off my husband’s shoulders, but I didn’t want to miss any milestones in my daughter’s life. The last several years have been so much fun. I enjoy sharing my passion for wine and I don’t feel like I’m working because I make my own schedule. I have never missed being there for all of my daughter’s moments. Two surprises happened on this wine journey. The first was the friendships I made. I have become so close to some of my wine family, they are like sisters. We even plan vacations together every year. The second was the personal fulfillment. I thought my “career days” were over when I became a stay-at-home mom. I was wrong. I’ve learned, grown, and achieved so much over the past few years. I have stepped out of my comfort zone both personally and professionally. I’m blessed to mentor a great team and to have had the opportunity for travel and new experiences. These things would not have been possible had I not taken that leap of faith with Traveling Vineyard. Becoming a Wine Guide was truly life changing and I look with anticipation to whatever the future holds.

Kelly Spence May 25, 2023
Four years! I’ve learned so much about wine and myself and love that this is flexible enough that it was okay to…
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Four years! I’ve learned so much about wine and myself and love that this is flexible enough that it was okay to take a break while pregnant and postpartum this year and I can’t wait to get back into it!

Katie Hoover May 5, 2023
I can’t believe I have been a wine guide for 2 years! I never would have imagined that I would have been…
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I can’t believe I have been a wine guide for 2 years! I never would have imagined that I would have been able to earn TWO incentive trips, promote to Team Leader, meet so many amazing people, and have so much FUN! Traveling vineyard checks all the boxes for me and I can’t wait to see what happens next… ????

Hannah Buchs May 1, 2023
Over the past year, Traveling Vineyard has given me an opportunity to make connections and form new friendships. My wine leader has…
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Over the past year, Traveling Vineyard has given me an opportunity to make connections and form new friendships. My wine leader has made a great effort in helping with my success. I’m thankful for the people Traveling Vineyard has brought into my life. I am a lifelong learner and what better way to learn about something new than to be on an awesome team and drink wine!

Jessica Manis Apr. 25, 2023
As a mom of two, being a wine guide gives me a little me time where I get to go out and…
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As a mom of two, being a wine guide gives me a little me time where I get to go out and have fun while enjoying great wine and company.

Amber Olson Apr. 4, 2023
My mother in-law gifted me a bottle of Fissata and after finding out more about Traveling Vineyard I was ready to jump…
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My mother in-law gifted me a bottle of Fissata and after finding out more about Traveling Vineyard I was ready to jump on board even though I hadn’t ever been to a tasting and barley knew anything about wine! I really enjoy being a wine guide. It’s a great side gig filled with fun!

Barb Santmyer Apr. 3, 2023

I absolutely love what I do. It’s great meeting new people.

Sarahbeth Ring Mar. 24, 2023
I decided to start my own journey with Traveling Vineyards after years of enjoying the products! I was a new mom and…
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I decided to start my own journey with Traveling Vineyards after years of enjoying the products! I was a new mom and feeling very isolated. I can’t believe how many new people and friends I have made through this experience!

Christina Ocegueda Mar. 11, 2023
The past 5 years have been a great journey and I can’t wait to see what the future holds with this great…
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The past 5 years have been a great journey and I can’t wait to see what the future holds with this great company! Making new friends, meeting new people and sharing great wine has been amazing! Thanks for all the love and support!

Amanda Klopfenstein Feb. 9, 2023
It’s my 3 year anniversary with Traveling Vineyard! To start this journey at the start of a global pandemic was, interesting and…
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It’s my 3 year anniversary with Traveling Vineyard! To start this journey at the start of a global pandemic was, interesting and so much fun. I love meeting new people, making connections, and I LOVE OUR WINE! I love getting to teach people about the wine industry with fun facts and educate them on our wine and overall business. It’s so much fun! It’s where I’m meant to be. Cheers!

Kathy Bennett Feb. 6, 2023
Eight years ago, I started a side gig that I could only dream of and it has been an incredible journey ever…
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Eight years ago, I started a side gig that I could only dream of and it has been an incredible journey ever since. Not only have I learned so much and grown professionally, but I have found lifelong friends over wine. The supportive and inclusive team culture combined with the fulfillment of connecting people in such a time as this has been a true gift.

sharie pruitt Jan. 31, 2023
8 years ago today I started my new wine adventure. I was never a wine drinker before but looked at this as…
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8 years ago today I started my new wine adventure. I was never a wine drinker before but looked at this as a fun new opportunity. No regrets. The fun I’ve had learning about and drinking wine is only one aspect. So many new friends that I have made warms my heart.

Vittorio graziani Jan. 16, 2023
Today is my 5 year anniversary being a wine guide. I love it! I love enjoying teaching people about wines. I grew…
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Today is my 5 year anniversary being a wine guide. I love it! I love enjoying teaching people about wines. I grew up making wine my whole life with my family because it is my culture and tradition. But when I got to teach wines I was very excited sharing my knowledge. Traveling vineyard is a great company who cares for their wine guides and their customers.