Ep. 2545 Building Inclusive Wine Spaces Through Storytelling with Amari Collins | Voices with Cynthia Chaplin

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2545 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin interviews New York–based wine educator and digital creator Amari Collins to explore her personal journey into wine, from childhood memories with her sommelier father to her unexpected career shift from television production into the world of wine education. Amari shares how she built Vin Dealer as an accessible, culture-driven platform, how a viral rooftop tasting changed everything, and how her tastes have evolved along the way.

More about the guest:

Amari Collins is a New York–based wine educator and digital creator who brings a fresh, inclusive voice to the world of wine. Through her platform @vin_dealer, Amari demystifies wine with humor, cultural insight, and storytelling that resonates with a diverse audience. 

Before stepping into the wine space, Amari built a successful career as a television casting producer. In recognition of her impact on the industry, Amari was named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 Tastemakers list for 2025.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin_dealer/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amari-collins-8599b979/ 

More about our host: 

VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a certified wine educator, author, international judge, and content creator. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate and private clients, develops Italian wine collections for restaurants and private clients and works with Italian wineries to train their sales and export staff.

Hosting Voices has increased her commitment to DEI in the wine sector, interviewing emerging and established wine professionals and discussing topics such as inclusivity, equity, language, sustainability and challenges facing under-represented groups and cultures as they move into careers in wine. As a certified WSET Educator, Cynthia is passionate about developing wine education for a future that will have a place at the table for anyone interested in wine.

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-

_______________________________ 

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast 

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ 

Until next time, Cin Cin!