Ep 39: Running the Family Wine Business with a Father Daughter Duo

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast, today let me introduce you to  Eric and Riley of Flanagan Wines.Flanagan Wines was born out of Eric’s love for wine. He visited wine-growing regions around the world from New Zealand to Greece and was fascinated by how the same grape variety produced different wines in different locations.  This led to an interest in great vineyard sites and a focus on the soils and the climate that made each unique.  In 1999, he chose to act on his  interest by purchasing 40 acres on the heights of Bennett Mountain and planting their first vineyard. He now produces wines from several of the most highly regarded vineyard sites in Sonoma County.

Flanagan Wines is becoming known for making great wines from the best vineyards in Sonoma County. 

Let’s dive into his wine story!

[00:01 - 08:42] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guestS for this episode, Eric and Riley
• Eric and Riley talk about how they started in the wine business and the strategies that made the business grow

[08:43 - 17:18] Things to Consider When Starting a Winery

• Riley on making wines intentional
• • Making Rosé using the Saignee method
• How you could sell the wine
• • Their wines are known for being varietally correct 
  • Right location
  • Start making the best wine then focus on the marketing plan
• What factors influenced their approach to the wine industry?
• • Make the best wine at the most suitable vineyard site and farming
  • Take good care of the customers
  • Owning a vineyard is pure hard work. It’s not as glamorous as it looks but the farmers ensure customers get the best experience

[17:19 - 24:38] Wine Business Is Not for Everyone

• How to maintain work-life balance
• • Be the best and make friends with the people n the industry
  • Enjoy the events and the responsibilities that come with it
• Eric and Riley’s advice if you’d like to start your own wine business 
• • Decide what you want to do and don’t change that
  • You are your brand
  • Have your cashflow ready and be prepared for the risks

[24:39 - 33:30] The Tasting Round

• Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at [email protected] with the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp
• Favorite go-to wine after a long day  
• • Pilsner or Sauvignon Blanc
• Favorite Go-to Pairing
• • Riley: Oysters and Sauvignon Blanc, popcorn with Manchego and Chardonnay
  • Eric: mature triple cream with VNA, Cabernet with gouda
• Wine and Vineyard Resources
• • People
  • Working with different vineyard management

Connect with Eric and Riley at https://flanaganwines.com/

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

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Tweetable Quotes:

“Always respect your customers and take great care of them.” - Eric“The best part about being in this industry is you get to actually hang out with people and connect with them and become a part of their lives and meet amazing people. And we have awesome customers. But it's a two-way street and you have people bringing you into the best parts of their lives. You have to show up and be real. And it requires a certain sense of vulnerability, I think, to create real friendships with people. And it took a while for me to understand that that was okay. You know, a lot of jobs where it's actually about making friends.” - Riley“There's nothing really a creative to the brand, except that I love the freaking wine.”  - Eric

“If people start by buying bulk juice and slapping a label on it, and coming up with cute marketing ideas, that's different. But that's not about wine. That's not about making a wine you love or believe in, that's about making a product that isn't good, but that makes you money. And if you were going to do that, I would say you might as well do it in a different field with better margins. You know, like, if you just want to do that, then go to a different if you don't care about wine, then you don't need to be in the wine business. It's not the best business to be in anyway. So if you're going to be in it, make sure that you're in it because you really love wine and you love the idea of making great wines and you care about that. And then that will sustain you through the dark days, hopefully.” - Eric