A Balanced Pursuit Podcast with Michele Boyer

ABP 010: Mixing Family and Business to Create Great Wines. A Conversation with Kristen Marchesi of Montinore Winery

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Details: I am so incredibly delighted to introduce you to one of the hardest working women I know in the wine business: Kristin Marchesi of Montinore Estate Winery located in the Willamette Valley in Oregon – the home of fabulous Pinot Noir. I had a blast having this conversation because Kristin is a dear friend and I learned so much about her family history, in farming and winemaking and their origin story in New Jersey, that I didn’t know before! For almost a decade now, Kristin has been working with her father, Rudy, running Montinore Winery and helping to get their lovely wines produced and out to the public. However, it wasn’t exactly an “easy” road.

We talk about working with family, acquiring an already staffed winery [and dealing with perceptions of nepotism], overcoming a not so stellar reputation that the former owners left behind, creating community, and balancing a very busy job with a husband, little son and another baby on the way [at the time of recording]…Kristin is pretty much a wonder [ful] woman in my book…I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Quote: “When my Dad asked me to come on board the winery and take over sales & marketing, I said no because I actually like my Dad and wanted to continue to like him”

Topics Covered:

  • The Marchesi family origin story
  • Everything revolves around food [and wine]. Celebrations, arguments, births, deaths – the extended family always gathered around large tables with and shared incredible meals while marking milestones
  • Kristin’s earliest memories, from her diaper days, are of stomping grapes, pruning vines, participating in the running of the family farm
  • About Kristin’s Dad, Rudy, and his history in the wine biz
  • The family trip to Reed College in Portland, Oregon and how that led to the purchase of Montinore Winery
  • Kristin’s resistance to joining the winery exec team because she “likes” her Dad and was wary of mixing family and business
  • Changing impressions and earning respect: both in the Willamette Valley and with the winery’s existing staff
  • Debunking winery ownership and winemaking “myths” [it’s not as romantic as it’s cracked up to be]
  • Hustling, juggling demands, and giving equal time to a busy career and a growing family

    • SHOWNOTES:

    Montinore Estate Winery

    Willamette Valley Wineries

    Frizzante Wines

    Follow Montinore Estate:

    Twitter
    SHARE: Please share with your friends, loved ones, co-workers for inspiration, exploration and actionable tips and lessons for YOUR balanced pursuit.

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    A Balanced Pursuit Podcast with Michele BoyerBy Michele Boyer