Julia Richard, mother of three became a consultant for The Traveling Vineyard two years ago while living in Oregon.

People who want to host a tasting invite about a dozen friends to their home and serve appetizers. For no fee, Richard brings five bottles of different wine for guests to try. She talks about the proper way to taste it and shares information about each bottle.

Attendees can order the wine they like through The Traveling Vineyard, although there is no requirement to buy.

Orfe Kelly, a friend of Richard who hosted the first tasting, said it was a no-pressure experience. She invited seven friends to the party.

"It's not like Tupperware, it's a real party," Kelly said. "It's an opportunity to be with your friends. Everybody is talking about everything and walking around."

The Traveling Vineyard's niche is value wine; most bottles cost $10-$20. The company sends representatives to small vineyards, whose bottles aren't usually sold in grocery stores, to select wines for the independent consultants to market. The tasting is blind so as not to favor a particular vineyard.

AZCentral