Meet Eric!
Eric Noblet, the newest member of Mike’s Wine & Spirits team, is not only a certified sommelier; he is also a wine educator certified by the Society of Wine Educators. He also boasts an advanced qualification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Wine has always been a part of Eric’s life. His father was a passionate wine collector. At dinner, he would allow his young son a small taste from different bottles. As Eric sampled various wines, his father quizzed him, imparting lessons on the art of wine pairing and how to expertly navigate wine lists. By age 10, Eric was already selecting wines for his parents at restaurants.
After college, Eric began working for a small liquor store, where he found a practical use for the wine knowledge he had acquired while growing up—educating customers and answering their questions. He enjoyed teaching people about wine so much that he decided to take the next step. Eric traveled the country, earning his wine certifications along the way. After returning to Kansas, Eric worked for several restaurants as a sommelier and bar manager. For a change of pace, he worked in distribution on the side, selling wine and spirits to restaurants, bars, and country clubs all around Johnson County.

Eric and his wife, Taylor, recently got married and honeymooned across New England!
His work in both the restaurant and distribution sides of the wine and spirits industry showed Eric how much he enjoyed teaching others about wine. In 2022, he and a friend left the distribution business and opened their own wine shop, UnKCorked. The shop was a success, but it did not require two full-time owners. So, Eric decided to make a move within the retail space and joined the team at Mike’s Brookside.
“I really appreciate the retail environment at Mike’s because it allows me to engage with a diverse group of people about wine,” Eric says. “In distribution, you’re selling to intermediaries who are going to resell the wine. Here at Mike’s, I can sell directly to the people who will be enjoying the wine themselves.”
A Wine Tip from Eric:
Eric has advice for picking out a new wine.
“Turn the bottle around and look at the back label. Look at who the importer is,” he says. “It is impossible to remember every wine label brand, but if you can narrow down which importers and suppliers carry wines that you enjoy, you’ll be able to find new ones that match your preferences just by checking the back label!”
Eric’s current favorite importers include Kermit Lynch and Skurnik. Both import numerous bottles, all of which can be found on the shelves at Mike’s!