There were four in my class; as I mentioned, that would attempt to become sommeliers.

Andrew from Boston; ironically. Billy from D.C. Oscar from Charleston, South Carolina, and Jeff from Boulder, Colorado. Each of them had come to Vermont to expand their horizons in the world of wine with our famous instructor, Kevin Cleary.

In addition to his expansive education in wine and spirits, Kevin and his wife owned a restaurant and also a wine bar and shop. He had a long history of business and industry knowledge and somehow picked Burlington as a place to launch his school. Perhaps he was a skier like me...I wondered.

In addition to classes each day, the five of us would taste five to ten wines each nite. Since we were focusing on French wine, it was best to stick to French wine in our tasting. We needed to learn about geography, terroir, tasting, and many other ancillary subjects.

Kevin was an amazing instructor and had a few other excellent members on his staff. One could tell that he was serious about putting Vermont Wine School and Burlington, Vermont on the map. At the time that I attended the school, it had been open for five years and had produced seven sommeliers. I was going to be the eighth, and I had hoped to drag one of my buddies with me.

Samantha and Dad were excited that I had a few others around me to give me a collective focus to my goal. With five of us having the same goal, certainly we would be able to educate and encourage each other.

Samantha and I talked more and more often, as I was filling her head with the knowledge that I personally gained each day. My excitement could be heard thru the phone, she said.

I was well on my way to becoming America's next sommelier!