Community Highlights: Meet Montana Rae of The Wine Ship

Today we’d like to introduce you to Montana Rae. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for restaurants, wine, and design started in college. When I graduated, at the height of the recession, I was working hard to try and find a great job and started doing architectural drafting and bartending in the evenings. While working nights, I realized my passion for wine and started designing menus for restaurants and working as a wine rep. Eventually, I moved into a marketing role for a boutique distributor in Colorado – allowing me to work with wineries, importers, and restaurant owners from around the world. 

I’ve noticed wines people love, are associated with a special memory, experience, or a trip. Sometimes, in the moment, you buy a case of wine on that trip, but then get home and realize it’s not as good, it was about the experience. I call this the “patio effect.” 

I was always trying to crack the code around what does make a wine memorable for the consumer, beyond the “patio effect.” With so many products to choose from, it’s not enough to make a good quality wine, have a cool label or story. Now, it’s more about putting the consumer first, which no winery wants to hear, but that’s what The Wine Ship is all about. I saw an opportunity in doing just that, by helping facilitate a personal connection by making it seem accessible and inclusive through educational and fun events. By giving people a unique experience, where they can develop a personal connection with wine, they take home wine they feel good about and that they can relate to. While our events focus on wine, it’s also about letting that wine be a conduit for connection. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle so far with starting, The Wine Ship, is our unconventional approach. It’s difficult to get people to realize that wine can be accessible and approachable and doesn’t need to be stuffy or exclusive. The other hurdle is helping people understand why they should care about where their wine comes from and what’s in it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a $15 bottle of wine, that’s what I would drink most nights, but just like we care where our food comes from, we should care about wine as well. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We do experiences, large and small, from huge tastings to more intimate gatherings at private homes – each with varying degrees of education and entertainment. We are also offering wine dinner at home where we bring food from a local restaurant partner, pair wines, do a tasting, and all the cleanup. It’s a totally customized experience for each guest. We even can host events for businesses, baby showers, and bachelorette parties. We can do anything virtually as well. 

I’m 100% dedicated to educating people about wine! I’m a certified Sommelier with my WSET and am taking the level 3 exam in December 2021. I even host a podcast to educate people – bringing in people from different segments of the beverage and food world – and continuing to focus on the consumer. 

That’s what I’m most proud of, the breakthroughs with customers! When I hear someone talk about wine with knowledge, we were able to bestow upon them, it’s amazing. Of course, I have to give a shoutout to my team, I’m so proud of the people I’ve been able to work with and meet along the way. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Innovation is the most important quality to my success. While the wine industry is steeped in tradition, what sets The Wine Ship apart is our unique approach. Our last event at Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery was one of the most diverse events when it comes to age, background, and experience with wine. That’s our goal is to continue to educate different and diverse groups of people, so good wine can feel accessible to all! 

Pricing:

• Event Tickets: $20-$100
• Contact for Private Tasting Information

Contact Info:

• Email: montana@thewineship.com
• Website: https://www.thewineship.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewineship/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewineship/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/montana.rae.sommelier/