PHOTOS BY CAROLINE STREMIC

When Andrew Brewer loaded up his car and left Napa Valley, he had no idea exactly what lay ahead. His move to Tennessee was a leap of faith—born from a new relationship and shaped, as he puts it, by “giant boulders” rather than small breadcrumbs of opportunity. Yet, as Brewer will tell you, every detour led him closer to where he believes he was meant to be, and the launch of his business, Lessons from the Vine —a concept that blends a customized experience with his love of wine, hospitality, and community.

Brewer grew up with a passion for athletics. The Tulsa native played college football at Northwestern University and played his final season of football abroad in Parma, Italy. Sports taught him discipline and resilience, but it was that season playing abroad that changed his life in an unexpected way. “Italy ruined me for the better,” Brewer laughed. “The food culture, the wine, the way people gathered at the table — it changed me.”  While living in Italy, he found himself drawn into the pace of European culture—where meals often lasted late into the night and wine was never just a drink, but a companion to conversation, laughter, and connection.

After returning to the United States in 2014, Brewer dedicated the next four years to learning everything he could about wine—studying, tasting, and carefully saving so he could travel the world and explore renowned wine regions firsthand. What started as hobby grew into a calling, and in 2018, he moved to Napa Valley to learn firsthand from the heart of America’s wine country. With no formal credentials in the wine industry, he relied on persistence—knocking on doors, working tasting rooms, and immersing himself in every detail of winemaking, pairing, and presentation.

In 2020, during the midst of the pandemic, Brewer followed what he believed was God’s calling to Nashville. However, the relationship that prompted the move ended just days before his arrival. Instinctively, he reached out to his former youth pastors, who lived in Tennessee but were vacationing in Florida. They invited him to join them in Florida, where they prayed for guidance, and Brewer was able to reset before officially settling in Tennessee. After visiting Florida, Brewer stayed on his youth pastor’s 25-acre farm in Arrington, lending a hand with their family business while piecing together his next chapter in life. It was during those months that he discovered the nearby city of Columbia. “It felt like walking into an episode of Cheers,” Brewer recalled. “Everyone knew each other’s names. People were kind. It had that small-town charm that just pulls you in.” Before long, Brewer and his brother moved to Columbia, and his family began investing in real estate there.

While Columbia was now home, Brewer still wondered how wine would fit into his future. That clarity came from a friend he met at the gym who asked him to curate a wine-tasting experience for her husband’s 40th birthday. Brewer recreated the elegance of a Napa Valley tasting in a Tennessee living room, and the response was overwhelming. “I realized there was a real hunger for that kind of experience — intimate, educational, and fun,” he said.

Word of mouth spread quickly, and Brewer was leading tastings at private homes, birthdays, and corporate gatherings. What started as a side project became something more: a calling to create community around the table. In March 2022, he officially launched Lessons from the Vine, crediting his faith, community, and determination for helping him start this business endeavor.

For Brewer, Lessons from the Vine is about more than wine; it’s about hospitality. A gift he credits back to his faith and upbringing. “Hospitality is my spiritual gifting,” he explained. “I want people to feel seen, heard, and cared for. Whether that’s through a perfectly paired glass of wine or just sitting across the table, that’s what matters most to me.”

Today, Brewer brings his expertise to curated wine events across Middle Tennessee, each one designed around the needs and interests of his clients. Some gatherings highlight themes—like Italian wines served alongside handmade pasta—while others focus on the essentials of wine tasting and appreciation. No matter the style, Brewer’s mission remains the same: to make wine feel approachable and to create genuine connections. “I love seeing people relax around the table,” he said. “Wine becomes the vehicle, but the real joy is in the conversations, the laughter, and the memories people take with them.”

Brewer also consults for local restaurants, helping design wine lists, train staff, and create pairings that complement the menu. “It’s been amazing to see how one simple yes to hosting a tasting has opened so many doors I never expected,” he said. “I thought I was moving to Nashville for one reason, but God had something different in mind. I had to trust that, even when it didn’t make sense in the moment.”

Lessons from the Vine is now in its fourth year, and Brewer is excited for the future. Earlier this year, he passed the exam and earned the title of Certified Sommelier. As he continues to balance his work as a strength and conditioning coach with his wine business, he continues to expand his reach in both corporate and community settings. For now, though, he remains committed to what started it all: gathering people around the table. “Wine is best when it’s shared,” Brewer said. “If I can help people slow down, savor the moment, and create memories together — that’s success to me.”

For additional information about booking private tastings, curated collections, and even collaborations with chefs for full food-and-wine experiences, visit lessonsfromthevine.net or email Brewer at andrew@lessonsfromthevine.net. Follow on social media @lessonsfromthevine.