7 Questions with Beth: All About Her Monthly Wine Tastings at Baxter’s Back Door in Sandpoint

1. What can guests expect from a monthly wine tasting, especially if it’s their first time?

A fun, welcoming evening with great wine, good food nearby, and lots of conversation. Everyone arrives by 5:30 and is seated with friends, family, or at a table with others if they come solo. No one ever feels left out. I walk everyone through the wines, share where they come from, the stories behind the wineries, and talk about the varietals we’re tasting. Sometimes the room gets so comfortable I can barely get a word in, which I love. Many wine club members come regularly because they enjoy tasting before they buy, especially since I focus on wines you won’t find in grocery stores.

2. How do you choose the wines each month?

I taste wine pretty much every week for the shop, the wine club, tastings, and pop-up events. Some of the wines I pour at tastings don’t fit into the wine club price points, but they’re beautiful wines that deserve to be shared. I love finding bottles that are a little different, whether that’s an unusual varietal, region, or country. I also let the seasons guide the lineup. Rosés in spring and summer, sparkling wines during the holidays, and bigger reds as we head into fall and winter.

3. What makes these tastings different from enjoying wine at home or at a restaurant?

People often ask why wine tastes better at a tasting than when they bring it home. I think wine is meant to be shared. It’s meant to be enjoyed with friends and paired with food, but it doesn’t need to be pretentious or stuffy. Hearing the stories behind the wines, families who have been making wine for generations or people who decided to try something new, adds so much to the experience. Wine is cultural, it has history, and sharing that together really brings it to life.

4. Do guests need to know a lot about wine to enjoy it?

Not at all. My tastings are about the experience. What you know or don’t know about wine doesn’t matter. If you’re new to wine, I’ll walk you through it in a relaxed, approachable way. If you already enjoy wine, you’ll still learn something new along the way. My goal is simply for everyone to leave feeling more comfortable with wine than when they arrived!

5. Is food served during the tastings?

I don’t serve food directly, but our monthly tastings at Baxter’s Backdoor pair perfectly with dinner. Guests can order from Baxter’s delicious menu while enjoying the tasting. For pop-up tastings at the shop, I usually offer a few light snacks.

6. What’s your favorite part of hosting these tastings?

I’m a total wine geek. I get excited talking about wine, regions, and stories, and I probably give more information than anyone asked for. My hope is that people leave having tried something new, maybe a varietal or region they’d never heard of, and possibly even found a new favorite wine.

7. When are the tastings, and how can people sign up?

Monthly tastings are held on the third Monday of every month at 5:30 pm at Baxter’s Backdoor. I also host pop-up tastings at the shop throughout the year. The easiest way to register for an event is through the Events section on my website or by calling the store. Signing up ahead of time really helps me plan how much wine to bring so everyone gets a great experience.