Cheryl Kingan

CHERYL KINGAN is an obscure grape enthusiast, consultant and wine seller who has been a part of New York City's specialty beverage scene since 2006. 

She developed her palate and passion for sensory science via coffee while building the roasting, sourcing and QC programs for Café Grumpy in Brooklyn. The coffee program was centered on a commitment to long term partnerships, sustainable agriculture and community development. After twelve years, the desire to expand her tasting horizons led her to wine. Managing a natural wine bar in the West Village laid the foundation for her current role in distribution with Eklektikon Collective. Wine has been a natural career extension for Cheryl, and she loves to educate clients and friends about rare and indigenous grapes from Greece, Eastern Europe and Italy. She completed the Coffee Quality Institute's Q Arabica Grading Course in 2012, and earned her sommelier certification with the SSA in 2021. 

Outside of the classroom, Cheryl can be found playing baritone sax with 75 Dollar Bill and The Scene Is Now or playing capoeira.

@eklektikoncollective on Instagram