​Shar Peterson, The Vine Room’s first ever employee, stepped in as owner in May, 2025.

 

Shar is a Level 2 Court of Masters Sommelier and has worked in the restaurant industry since she was 14 years old. She began her journey as a wine educator under the guidance of Jason Kallsen of Twin Cities Wine Education, and went on to develop courses designed to help wine enthusiasts deepen their understanding and appreciation for all things wine.

 

Shar also completed the Wine Professional Course at St. Paul College and recently spent several years living in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where she ran the Direct-to-Consumer program for Left Coast Estate before returning home to Minnesota.

 

The Vine Room was originally founded by Ali Hanson, who fell in love with wine after spending five years living in California. She wanted to bring a slice of the Cali lifestyle and culture back to her and her husband, Drew’s, home state of Minnesota, thus The Vine Room was born in 2019.