Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie McCormick
Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had chosen Italy seemingly at random when signing up to be a volunteer farmer abroad at 23 years old (with zero farming experience.) I was off to Europe for the first time, traveling solo, not to sightsee but to volunteer at a family farm in a tiny village in Piedmont. I arrived at a bus stop late at night where a tall, bearded, gentle man greeted me in soft-spoken Italian (of which I knew none). He drove us in his tiny car to the farmhouse he and his wife had restored after leaving the tech industry in Milan in search of a slower pace of life. I worked in the garden learning about permaculture, harvesting tons of strawberries and picking acacia flowers which I later helped turn into a fragrant jam (that I still crave to this day.) In the evenings I sat around the dinner table with the family for pasta or risotto, salad from the garden and homemade barbera wine. This was the first time I had ever tasted wine with a meal; I remember that I quickly came to understand its essential place at the table and its significance and respect as a daily ritual, a shared experience between family and friends. Everything that was on the table was from that land; homemade bread, neighbors’ cheeses and olive oil, and wine made from grapes in the backyard. My palate was waking up, as well as something within, something that felt so natural to me.
From this moment onward I’d continue to pay closer attention to the craft of artisan winemaking, traveling more extensively throughout Italy and eventually working in wine production, distribution, and more recently managing a fine wine shop in Venice (the one in California). That trip to Italy planted a seed which continued to grow with each successive visit in small villages working with farmers. Participating in Italian life in this way, living with families, brought me up close and personal with the locals and I felt I was embraced by all of them, received as an active member of their community even if I was only there short-term. Once back home in the U.S. I began dreaming about how I could recreate this kind of intimate experience for other travelers who may also want to see Italy in this “insiders” way.
It wasn’t until 13 years following that initial journey that I came to understand more in regards to my inate affinty for all things Italia— my mom had been adopted when she was 10 days old, knew nothing of her biological ancestry, and only in late 2019, just before the pandemic, did she express interest in finding her birth mother. After an incredible, circuitous search throughout much of quarantine we discovered her birth mother, less than a year before she passed, and who was, of all nationalities: Italian. I always knew I was Irish, but now—pinch me—sono italiana! Finally an explanation for this strong joyful desire towards Italy and “la bella vita”.
Vapiano (meaning “to go slowly”) Tours started with the intention to share these beautiful and personal experiences of Italy. With my friendships, wine connections and lay of the land within Italy (my Italian is only semi-fluent but I love the language and continue to grow in my confidence!) I designed tours to allow others to engage with locals, be immersed in the community and learn about wine and winemaking directly from those making it.
I’m delighted and grateful to be able to say I’m doing what I love—introducing people to an authentic experience in a most beautiful land, all while diving wondrously into the world of Italian wine!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well truth be told I have never considered myself a “businesswoman”. I’m not a particularly type-A person nor ambitious in the worldly sense… I’d say the most challenging aspect of playing this role of entrepreneur is spreading the word about the kind of experience I’m offering. But each time I do talk about the tours I feel grateful and am inspired all over again!
As you know, we’re big fans of Vapiano Tours . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Aside from leading the wine tours in Italy I’m also actively involved in the Italian wine world here in Los Angeles. I organize pop-up Italian wine classes; they’re light-hearted, casual gatherings that get people talking about wine around a shared table, making new friends and tasting a variety of wines, some from grapes most of us (even in the wine world) have never previously heard of! I also host private tastings for groups, special occasions of friends, team building, fundraisers for non-profits, etc., and also curate personal wine cellars and restaurant wine lists. I love all of it.
I think there’s a certain comprehensiveness and playfulness about what I’m so pleased to offer… I think it’s a sort of entry into an immersive culinary and cultural experience. We visit independent chocolatiers and coffee roasters, family cheesemakers, olive oil producers and other local farmers and craftspeople… there’s an artisan through line between all of the inspired people and places we visit.
Clients can come to me for personalized tastings here in Southern California, as well as requesting custom tours in Italy; a lovely couple from a recent tour has just asked for me to introduce them to the wines and winemakers of Umbria in central Italy, and next year in Sicily. All of which is an honor… and allows me further adventure in a country I love so much.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Quiet mornings, being in nature, visiting new places, exploring good wine, hearing Italian spoken/sung, cuddling with cats… and sharing any of these things with kind people!
I love continuing my education in wine and passing it on to other wine enthusiasts, especially to those that may not know much about wine but have a playful curiosity, helping to demystify what’s in the glass. I’m passionate about storytelling, sharing stories about the land and people involved in the grape growing and wine making process.
Guiding travelers on thoughtfully curated tours in Italy also makes me happy! When someone understands and appreciates this mindful way of travel and is positively influenced by the tour, I am all smiles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vapianotours.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vapianotours/
