Meet Kelly

Kelly Boutwell is a wine educator and writer living in Nashville, Tennessee with more than 20 years of experience working in wine. She has had an interesting career with a wide range of professional experiences informing her approach to wine. She cut her teeth in the restaurant business right out of college--serving as Wine Director and Service Manager for a multi-million dollar, award-winning restaurant beverage program. Kelly then worked in political fundraising for a decade before starting her own consulting business SERIOUS SIP LLC in 2022. Throughout her varied career, Kelly has remained focused on wine and her enthusiasm is contagious. She has taught and hosted hundreds of tastings and dinners. 

Kelly holds a BA and MBA from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. She believes in developing strong fundamentals in wine education--and holds both the expert level credential, Diploma in Wines, from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and a Level 2 Sommelier Certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers. 

Kelly writes a spirited, semi-regular wine newsletter–Friday Five and hosts fine wine excursions to the Italian wine regions of Piemonte, Tuscany, and Friuli Venezia Giulia.