We’re Kelly and Rob, owners of Tacoma Wine Merchants. 

It all started years ago, on their first date, a blind date in which Rob and Kelly shared a glass of wine. Rob, being obsessed with all things grape since he can remember, was collecting wine and dreaming of wine pursuits. Kelly was a wine lover, as well, so it’s no surprise the vagaries of life led them to purchase Tacoma Wine Merchants in 2017 from the original owner that opened the store in 2003. Rob grew up locally and has a BA from UW, studying Humanities and Philosophy, and completed the Enology Certificate Program at WSU. He made and assisted in making wine in Washington State and has a fondness for Barolo (and Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, high acid white wines, the list goes on)… Kelly hails from Austin, TX, and has a BS in Nutrition from Texas State University. She loves Champagne, Burgundy and Southern Rhone wines. 

Katherine McMaster joined the team in 2019 after the store grew and Rob and Kelly needed some help balancing a business and a family. After a few years selling wine at a big box store, she was looking for something more personal and intimate, with more of a community feel and the ability to sell and pour wines curated by Tacoma Wine Merchants. She loves wine, especially from Bordeaux and Spain. Katherine is currently a business student at UW Tacoma, and is a great addition to the team at Tacoma Wine Merchants.