Wine Behind The Scenes

What do wine, cats, design, and career reinvention have in common? The guest this week, Jaime Drayer, will say everything. In this inspiring episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel sits down with Jaime to talk about how she went from working as a graphic designer to building her own creative brand (hello, Kitties and Cabernet!) before diving headfirst into the wine world. What began as a part-time retail job at Burning Kiln Winery quickly turned into a full-time passion. Today, Jaime is the winery's Marketing Coordinator, combining her eye for design, love for storytelling, and a growing knowledge of all things wine. Jaime shares how she returned to her hometown of Norfolk County, found an unexpected opportunity in an emerging wine region, and discovered a supportive all-female leadership team that's helping shape the future of Ontario wine. If you've ever thought about switching lanes, following your creative instincts, or learning wine from the ground up this episode's for you. What You'll Learn: How Jaime transitioned from graphic designer to wine marketer The story behind her wine-and-cat-themed business, Kitties and Cabernet Why Burning Kiln Winery's unique location sets it apart in Ontario What it's like working with an all-female management team The ins and outs of learning about wine through hands-on experience Tips for anyone curious about working in wine How passion projects can fuel your main hustle And we have our wonky term with Judith Lewis - What the term "RS" means in wine (and no, it's not a new app!) Jaime Drayer is the Marketing Coordinator at Burning Kiln Winery in Norfolk County, Ontario. A trained graphic designer, Jaime began her career in Hamilton, working in the creative industry across the GTA before launching her own wine-inspired brand, Kitties and Cabernet. After returning to her hometown in 2023, she joined Burning Kiln as a part-time retail team member. Her role quickly evolved to include sales and marketing, a perfect match for her storytelling skills and growing passion for the wine industry. Whether she's designing greeting cards, planning winery events, or creating brand content, Jaime brings creativity, heart, and authenticity to everything she does. Listen now at: www.winebehindthescenes.com

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons is joined by Andrea Kaiser, founder of Drea's Wine Co. and daughter of the legendary winemaker Karl J. Kaiser, co-founder of Inniskillin Wines. Andrea shares her incredible journey, from growing up in the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake to launching her own boutique label in tribute to her father. This heartfelt and inspiring episode explores the challenges of building a wine brand from scratch, the evolution of Niagara's wine scene, and the importance of supporting local producers. Andrea opens up about her career in marketing, her deep-rooted passion for wine, and the powerful legacy she carries forward. They also touch on how global wine trends are influencing local business, what it means to create "single-vineyard, small-batch" wines, and how Ontario wines are earning international acclaim. What You'll Learn: How Andrea Kaiser built Drea's Wine Co. from the ground up The story behind her father, Karl J. Kaiser, and his impact on Canadian winemaking What it means to produce "single-vineyard, small-batch" wines Challenges and opportunities in Niagara's evolving wine industry The importance of local support in a globally competitive market How to recognize premium wines in a saturated market Why storytelling and legacy matter in branding Tips for aspiring wine entrepreneurs Andrea (Drea) Kaiser is a marketing veteran, educator, hospitality expert, and Niagara Regional Councillor. With over 30 years of experience in the wine and tourism industry, she has led marketing for Reif Estate Winery, chaired the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and taught at Niagara College. Andrea launched Drea's Wine Co. in honour of her late father, Karl J. Kaiser, one of Canada's most celebrated winemakers. Her boutique winery produces award-winning wines that have received international acclaim, including mentions from Decanter, Jancis Robinson, and even placement in Michelin-starred restaurants. She continues to advocate for sustainable winemaking, wine education, and local food culture, all while championing Niagara wines on the global stage. Listen now at: www.winebehindthescenes.com

What starts as a story inspired by a grandfather's World War II experience with champagne turns into a full-circle journey through fine dining, wine education, and app development. In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons is joined by Jeff Gillis, a certified sommelier, adjunct professor, and former food and beverage director at luxury hotels in Beverly Hills and Napa Valley. Jeff shares how his upbringing shaped his love of wine and why curating wine lists at five-star hotels prepared him for teaching and innovating. He talks about building his app, Wine Likes, a gamified platform designed to help wine lovers connect, learn, and discover new bottles. Whether you're in hospitality, a wine student, or just someone who's tired of wine apps that don't get you, this conversation blends tradition and tech with heart and a healthy splash of fun. What You'll Learn: How WWII and a European-style home influenced Jeff's love of wine What it's really like to run wine programs at world-class hotels The power of educating future wine pros with science and storytelling Why supporting local winemakers is a long-term win What led Jeff to create a social wine app, and how it works The real challenges of transitioning from hospitality to tech A surprising 'wonky wine term' that might make you giggle And if you're ready to hear how the past, present, and future of wine collide in one conversation? Listen now at www.winebehindthescenes.com Jeff Gillis began his career in the hospitality industry, spending over 15 years as a food and beverage director, wine buyer, and wine director for top-tier hotels like The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Peninsula Group, and Bardessono in Napa Valley. After earning an MBA from the University of Illinois, he transitioned into biotech operations, where he also began building Wine Likes, a social platform for wine lovers. A WSET2-certified sommelier and adjunct professor at the College of the Canyons, Jeff is passionate about teaching, innovating, and making wine fun again, especially for those who want to enjoy wine without the pressure of being an expert. You can visit Jeff's website here: www.winelikes.com and all of his other socials: Instagram: @winelikesapp LinkedIn: @winelikesceo Facebook: @winelikes TikTok: @winelikes

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with her niece, Liesel Meissner, for a fun, informative, and completely unpretentious conversation about wine. Tired of being overwhelmed in wine shops and feeling lost when restaurant lists, Liesel came armed with questions, and Laurel delivered the answers. From understanding residual sugar and decoding trendy terms like "orange wine" and "pet-nat," to what wine to bring to a business dinner, this episode strips away the mystery and seriousness and gets real about what makes wine enjoyable and accessible. If you've ever stared at a wine list in panic, wondered whether corks are better than screw tops, or just wanted to know why wine smells the way it does, this is the episode for you. What You'll Learn: What residual sugar means and how it affects taste Why orange wine and pet-nats are making waves When (and why) to aerate or decant your wine The truth about corks, screw tops, and bottle closure How to choose wine for a professional dinner Tips for recognizing quality without relying on price tags Why wine doesn't have to be serious to be seriously good Liesel Meissner is a wine-curious traveller, reader, and enthusiastic learner who's made it her mission to understand wine on her own terms. Whether sipping Malbec in Mendoza or exploring wineries in Lebanon, she's passionate about discovering regional wines and sharing great bottles with friends. She's not a sommelier, just someone who wants to hear, "Liesel, great choice!" more often. You can reach out to Liesel on IG, FB and LI here: @lieselmeissner. Want to feel more confident picking wine? Start here. Listen now at www.winebehindthescenes.com/podcast.

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with wine educator Elaine Peters to explore the vibrant world of Ontario wine through the lens of personal experience, cultural connection, and joyful discovery. Elaine shares how she transitioned from corporate life to the tasting room, from Bell to the LCBO and now to Between the Lines Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Along the way, she embraced her love of wine by diving into WSET courses and finding her voice in the world of wine. Whether she's guiding visitors through tastings in multiple languages or highlighting hidden gems like Lemberger, Elaine brings her warmth and knowledge to every glass she pours. What You'll Learn: How Elaine transitioned into the wine world later in life—and never looked back What makes Ontario wine (and wine tourism) so unique The grapes you haven't heard of but should definitely try Why wine is so much more, it's a way to connect, learn, and live fully How working in the LCBO helped her discover what kind of wine person she really is Why Elaine believes wine education should be accessible at any age Elaine Peters is a wine professional, educator, and longtime advocate for Ontario wines. Based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, she works at Between the Lines Winery and is president of the Niagara Branch of the International Wine and Food Society. With WSET certifications and a passion for storytelling, Elaine bridges education and hospitality to bring the world of wine to life for visitors, friends, and fellow wine lovers. Intrigued about Ontario wines? You'll love this behind-the-scenes journey with Elaine. Listen now at winebehindthescenes.com

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis, also known as The Wine Psychologist, to explore how celebrity culture and subtle psychological triggers shape our wine choices, whether we realize it or not. From wine-tasting experiments with Olympic athletes to the endowment effect (a real thing!) and why we're more likely to buy something we've physically touched, Antonia shares her fascinating research into the subconscious forces behind buying and enjoying wine. This is a conversation that's as playful as it is eye-opening, especially when the person on the label might be altering your taste buds. Plus, Judith Lewis joins us at the end for a spirited take on the wonky wine term "firm finish." What does that even mean, anyway? What You'll Learn: How celebrity endorsements change how wine tastes The psychology behind touching a bottle and wanting to buy it Why marketing matters more than most people think when it comes to wine How our expectations shape the way we smell and taste wine What the "endowment effect" is and how it shows up in tasting rooms Dr. Antonia Mantonakis is a professor of marketing and consumer psychology at Brock University and a Fellow at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. Known as The Wine Psychologist, she has been featured in media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and The Globe and Mail for her work on the subconscious factors that influence how we choose and enjoy wine. Her research blends science, psychology, and wine culture in ways that challenge what we think we know about our preferences—and she's here to break it all down for us. Ever picked a wine just because of who was on the label? This episode might explain why. Listen now at winebehindthescenes.com