Jim Barker’s after-work passion became his full time job in 1999 when he left the world of software and started The Washington Wine Academy. Since then, 8,000 wine enthusiasts have attended the academy’s seminars, classes and wine tasting events.
How did you become so interested in wine?
I fell in love with wine. I started closely following Washington Post wine columnist Michael Franz to learn more about it. I realized that D.C. is the top wine consuming city in the U.S. and would be well served to have a deeper education in wine.
What’s your favorite wine?
It depends on what day of the week it is, what time of the day, what I’m eating. … I’ve always liked pinot noir and that was long before the movie “Sideways.”
Was “Sideways” a good portrayal of wine lovers?
I like “Bottle Shock” more. It just came out in August and it’s about a 1976 blind wine tasting in which California wines beat French wines. … “Bottle Shock” is the ultimate wine lover’s movie. “Sideways” is more for amateur wine lovers.
What’s your favorite place in D.C. for wine?
There’s so many amazing wine bars. My long-standing go to has been Bin 1700 in Crystal City. They not only have a great wine list, but also the food is wonderful. … D.C. is finally recognized for its great wine bars.
Has the academy helped build that recognition?
I think it has helped shape the D.C. wine market. Wine drinkers here are less casual about their consumption than they used to be. I like to think we’ve had a positive impact.
