On his way to becoming a sommelier, WinetasteTV contributor Chris Blanchard took an unusual route. He had a successful stint as a hip-hop artist under the name, DJ Vitamix. Blanchard recorded a hit song, "That's the Way Girls Are," but he abruptly switched careers after his record contract was terminated. He decided on law school and got a job as a salesman for E & J Gallo to help pay his tuition. That's when he fell in love with the wine business and didn't look back.

Blanchard, who has since worked as a sommelier at various restaurants, including the renowned Auberge Du Soleil, is now wine director at Redd in Yountville, located in California's Napa Valley. Besides appearing on camera for WineTasteTV, he writes the  site's Wine Funk blog.