Born and raised in Napa Valley, Tyler Hinsley grew up around hospitality as the son of a restaurateur, but his own path into wine took a few turns. After leaving Napa to study business, economics, and philosophy in New York City, he eventually returned home and began exploring the wine industry from nearly every angle, from marketing and sales to tasting rooms, private events, and estate hospitality.
Over more than a decade in wine, Tyler worked his way into leadership roles with several Napa Valley wineries, including a five-year tenure with Krupp Brothers, where he ultimately became Estate Director, before going on to serve as Director of Hospitality for JACK Winery and Two Old Dogs. Along the way, he has hosted countless guests, private tastings, dinners, and wine experiences, earning consistent five-star guest reviews for a hosting style that is knowledgeable, warm, and refreshingly approachable.
Tyler has always been just as interested in understanding why something is in the glass as describing what it tastes like. That curiosity has continued to shape his education in wine, from formal study through the Court of Master Sommeliers to making wine under the mentorship of a winemaker, giving him a firsthand understanding of the decisions and craftsmanship behind the process. It also inspired Hinsley Wine Journal, his ongoing Instagram exploration of wine, food, and the stories behind the bottle. That spirit of curiosity still shapes the way Tyler approaches wine today, connecting what is in the glass to the place it comes from, the people who made it, and what happens when it reaches the table, whether through a thoughtful food pairing, a shared story, or a memorable conversation.
Today, Tyler is the founder of Hinsley Circle, a wine and travel community built around bringing people together through travel experiences, virtual tastings, wine education, and in-person events. The community grew out of a philosophy that has followed Tyler throughout his hospitality career: wine becomes a lot more interesting when everyone feels comfortable being part of the conversation.
Whether exploring Napa Cabernet, comparing wines from around the world, discovering an unexpected food pairing, or figuring out what you actually like to drink, Tyler brings the same curiosity and enthusiasm to the table. His tastings are as engaging as they are educational, with plenty of room for questions, stories, laughs, and the kind of conversations that make sharing a bottle memorable.
