Nikki Check

A second-generation Arizonan, Nikki Check began her college career at Yavapai College and received her degree in agriculture, with a focus on soil studies and a minor in Latin American studies, from Prescott College. After graduation, she performed research in Costa Rica before traveling through seven Latin American countries to learn about South American agriculture.

Check has spent the past 10 years working in the Arizona wine industry where she began as a field worker for Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars in 2008, eventually becoming a vineyard manager. She became the founding director of viticulture at Yavapai College’s Southwest Wine Center in 2009 where she led the program’s first class, developed a two-year degree program, established a 13-acre vineyard, and transformed a racquet ball court into a 3,000-case winemaking facility.

Check now owns and operates Arizona Vineyard Consulting LLC., traveling throughout the state to help Arizona winegrowers grow top-quality fruit.