Hill Country Wine Academy, Texas, with Director of Education Kelsey Kramer

Sommelier Kelsey Kramer, the Director of Education for the Hill Country Wine Academy near Fredericksburg, Texas, is a theater major turned wine professional and educator, currently navigating the WSET Diploma program with 13+ years of hospitality, restaurant, and wine experience under her belt. After earning a B.F.A. in Acting at Ball State University, she started studying wine full-time with Takashi's Japanese-Fusion restaurant in Chicago. Kelsey earned her CMS Sommelier certification in 2017, and at the same time began teaching about wine at High Street Wine Co. in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. She began class programming and beverage selection for various wine education programs before shifting to virtual education program models in the COVID-19 shutdown.

During this time of the COVID-19 shutdown, Kelsey decided to dedicate her efforts to the growing Texas wine industry, and to pursue her studies as a wine educator through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. In 2019 she started her journey with William Chris Vineyards interactive virtual education program, and wine education became her full-time pursuit at the Texas Hill Country-based William Chris Wine Co. in 2022 she was promoted to the Director of Education there (now known as the Hill Country Wine Academy) and became a certified WSET educator.

With a colorful background, Kelsey's educational style is performative, engaging and positive. Kelsey's classes typically focus on hospitality, tasting technique, and looking at Texas wine through an international wine industry lens.

Kelsey Kramer is our guest pulling the cork on all that is the Hill Country Wine Academy.