The Growth of the Virginia Wine Industry, with Rebekah Greenhill

Episode 178

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Rebekah Greenhill is the director of sales and marketing at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia. She and her husband, David Greenhill, also own and operate Middleburg Life magazine and Greenhill Stables. They are based in Middleburg during the summer and Wellington, Florida in the winter for the equestrian and polo season. In this episode of Destination on the Left, Rebekah Greenhill, the director of sales and marketing at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, shares Greenhill’s story. She explains what brought national and international recognition to this Virginia farm winery, and talks about some of the strategic partnerships that helped them expand into new markets.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

  • How Greenhill Winery & Vineyards shares the Virginia farm life with their guests
  • The different types of strategic partnerships Greenhill formed to grow their business
  • How Greenhill built an entirely unique experience for its visitors
  • What Greenhill is doing to stand out from the crowd
  • The types of visitors that Greenhill is targeting and how they target them
  • How Rebekah has used creativity to solve unique marketing challenges in the wine industry
  • How Greenhill is working with the local community to build its brand

Greenhill Winery & Vineyards

Last year we had the pleasure of doing an episode with Beth Erickson, the president and CEO of the Loudon Convention & Visitors Association. Loudon County has become a premier region of East Coast wine and Beth provided us with a glimpse into the development of Virginia’s wine industry. To learn even more about the growth of Virginia’s wine scene, we invited Rebekah Greenhill, the director of sales and marketing at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, to join us next. In this episode of Destination on the Left, Rebekah explains how Greenhill designed a unique visitor experience and how they formed strategic partnerships to grow their business.

100% Virginian Wine

The Virginia climate poses major challenges for winemakers in the area because the weather is erratic and the soil is not always perfect. One of the ways that Greenhill Winery & Vineyards stands out from the crowd is by embracing those challenges and showcasing the unique flavor profiles that they create. Greenhill uses 100% Virginia grapes while other local wineries outsource them. This makes Greenhill more consistent, but it also captures the essence of Virginia’s unique soil and climate. The 100% Virginian wines have received national and international recognition with characteristics that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Build a Unique Visitor Experience

Another way that Greenhill Winery & Vineyards has cut through the noise and built their brand is by showcasing their identity as a privately-owned farm winery. Greenhill has truly embraced the farm life and it has been woven into the visitor experience as a whole. Guests get to witness the whole operation- not just the tasting room. They also have cows, honey bees, horses, and much more. Greenhill invites its visitors to join this lifestyle and be apart of a unique experience that very few wineries can offer.

Nicole Mahoney: 00:19 Hi listeners, before diving into this, this week’s episode, I have an exciting announcement. We will be hosting our second destination on the left virtual summit featuring 15 amazing speakers that will be held on April 1st through the third. The great thing about [inaudible], this summit [inaudible], it’s free. There is no travel cost for you and you can do it from the comfort of your own office. Go to destination on the left.com forward slash summit for more details. The spring destination on the left virtual summit is focused on the tourism marketing revolution. With so many rapid changes in our industry, we need to stay ahead of the curve and this summit will help you do just that. We have three same days, digital marketing, travel, trade marketing, [inaudible] niche markets, so you can pick the topics that are most interesting to you or attend all three days and gain insight into many facets of the industry.

Nicole Mahoney: 01:14 Again, check it out. A destination on the left.com forward slash summit hello listeners, this is Nicole Mahoney, host of destination on the left. Welcome to this week’s episode with another interesting guest, Rebecca Green Hill, director of sales and marketing at Greenhill winery and vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia. If you are an avid listener of our show, you might remember the interview we did with Beth Erickson from Loudon County, Virginia in January of 2019 if you missed Beth’s episode, I recommend you go back to episode one Oh seven and listen to the great insights that she shared. That episode stands out for me personally because I am from the finger lakes wine region in New York state and I was especially intrigued by Beth’s interview to learn about the development of Virginia’s wine country. To learn more, we decided to invite Virginia wineries to come on the show. I was very excited when Rebecca from Greenhill winery and vineyards in Virginia agreed to share her knowledge with us.

Nicole Mahoney: 02:17 In our conversation we learn how green Hill winery and vineyard is focused on staying true to who they are by sharing the Virginia farm life with their guests and how they build a unique experience for their visitors [inaudible] how they use strategic partnerships to grow their business. A little more about Rebecca before we dive into the interview. Rebecca and her husband, David Green Hill on green Hill winery and vineyards, Middleburg life magazine and green Hills stables. They are based in Middleburg during the summer and Wellington, Florida in the winter for the equestrian and polo season. You will hear more about their story in the interview, so let’s get started. Rebecca, thank you so much for joining us and I’m really looking forward to our conversation and learning more about the wine industry in Virginia. Before we get started with the questions, can you share a little bit more about your story and how you got to where you are today? I find it add so much more context to our conversation.

Rebekah Greenhill: 03:19 Hi Nicole. Thank you for having me on the show. I started at Greenhill winery in 2013. I got into the Virginia wine industry in sort of a funny way. I was a journalists and graduated with a journalism degree and started doing food writing. And uh, eventually that turned into wine and I began working in the Virginia wine industry in 2012 on the marketing side in some tasting rooms and just exploring and learning about everything you know from the process. Um, and then, you know, the soil to the wine making to the bottling. And I also started interviewing wine makers. Well eventually that turned into an offer from green winery to work in their tasting room as well as run their marketing. And, uh, we had a pretty quick turnaround from a purchase to um, opening of Greenhill winery. We opened in the fall of 2013 team. And um, from there it’s, you know, the rest is history and I now run all of the marketing and we have a great, yeah, team. We have a fantastic wine maker. And so it was sort of a sort of an unnatural but natural way of me getting into the industry. But an exciting time. Um, the owner is actually my husband. We met at the winery and um, fell in love and the rest is, you know, that’s the story.

Nicole Mahoney: 04:59 Very a perfect romance actually romantic story for our winery. I love that. I think that’s a really great, great. Uh, and so the story, right? Yeah,

Rebekah Greenhill: 05:10 it was kind of a funny twist.

Nicole Mahoney: 05:11 Yeah, exactly. And um, for our listeners sake, where in Virginia is Greenhill located?

Rebekah Greenhill: 05:18 Green Hill is in Middleburg, Virginia. It’s a quaint little town in Loudon County. It is about halfway between Alexandria and Winchester, Virginia.

Nicole Mahoney: 05:30 So you’re part of the Loudon County wine country then, right?

Rebekah Greenhill: 05:33 We are. And green Hill winery is a part of what you would call the most be cluster. Hmm. Um, it’s one of the B clusters in approaching your wine trail. Um, that’s something that the tourism office, the allowed tourism office has set up, uh, the Virginia sort of the Northern Virginia wine industry into clusters. And anyway, we’re part of the most betrayal, which includes a lot of the Middleburg, wineries and then some of the wineries in Aldi and towards the Upperville.

Nicole Mahoney: 06:02 That’s really great. And, and I left that, um, you know, your, you started in 2013 so Mmm. You know, relatively new and I’m sure you’ve got a lot of stories that you can share with us regarding, you know, getting going and that startup, which I’m sure, which sounds like really fast, um, and how you’ve evolved since then. So hopefully some of those stories will come out through the conversation and if they don’t, I’m probably going to circle back and ask you about some of those. Okay. Mmm.

Rebekah Greenhill: 06:31 Oh, okay.

Nicole Mahoney: 06:32 So let us start them on the topic of creativity and, um, you know, the tourism and hospitality industry is very competitive. You know, there are so many wineries out there as well, so the wine industry can also be very, as well as complimentary. But I’m wondering what you’re doing at Greenhill to really stand out. Oh, from the crowd.

Rebekah Greenhill: 06:53 Well, there are a couple of things. You know, in Virginia, it’s very challenging for a winemaker to make great Virginia wine consistently. Um, simply because if you are familiar with Virginia, and especially in Northern Virginia, the weather can be quite, um, erratic. Okay. And one year it’s very wet year. It’s very dry. Um, one year it’s called one year, it’s hot and it’s quite challenging. The soil, it can also be challenging in many ways. And so in Virginia, um, for us the way to stand out was to ensure that we create our wines with a hundred percent Virginia grape. There are some other wineries that source grapes from outside of Virginia, which is, there’s nothing wrong with that, right? Yeah, it does. You know, in our perspective we thought, well then maybe you should have a winery somewhere else or you know, something like that.

Rebekah Greenhill: 07:52 But yeah, we’re trying to maintain the essence of the soil asks you to Virginia and really showcase that and showcase the challenges that the wine makers. So perhaps one year we have a small yield and the next year we have a great yield. And that’s just sort of the nature of the business. And Virginia and for the Virginia wine makers. So that’s, and a real challenge for us. But we’ve been able to stick with it and we’ve won many awards and has received national recognition and international recognition in competitions as well as in media. And it’s quite exciting, um, to say to this day who’s 2013, we have [inaudible] then 100% Virginia. And that has really helped us to stand out. The other thing that has really helped us out is, um, the fact that we are a farm winery. It’s privately owned. We have Charlotte cows, we have honeybees.

Rebekah Greenhill: 08:54 We truly embrace the Virginia farm life. And um, the, and we bring it all together. It’s an experience when people come to the winery, they get to see, you know, this whole operation. We’re not just a tasting room. Um, it’s a lifestyle for us and we’re presenting a lifestyle, um, to our customers and to our wine club members. And, um, the other, uh, element is courses. We are very much into horses and the equestrian scene. And you have a polo team. There is another winery in Charlottesville that has a polo team as well. And we’ve played against them on several occasions and that’s [inaudible] and a lot of fun. And that also helps us to stand out. Um, and then the other point would be that we’re an adults only vineyard and that is very unusual in Virginia. I think we’re the only winery in the state that is completely adults only.

Rebekah Greenhill: 09:55 Um, and that’s something that we felt just, uh, wood be the best policy for us as a working farm winery with, um, hows and winery operations and [inaudible] [inaudible]. But it also provides our customers and our wine club members with a different environment. Mmm. Their eyes. There are great wineries in Virginia that have an environment for families and we decided to be a winery where you can bring a date, um, or you know, your mom or your dad and just kind of chill out and enjoy your wine and, um, have a different experience. So that has really, uh, those are the few things that have really helped us to stand out. And they really supported our public relations efforts. And we’ve gotten very good responses from all of that.

Nicole Mahoney: 10:49 Certainly I think, um, you just gave our listeners so many things to think about. And one of the things that stood out to me, uh, well two things that stood out to me, first of all, starting with, you know, being 100% Virginia grapes. Uh, and then you talked about presenting a lifestyle and that you’re this farm winery. And so to me that really just screams authenticity. You’re really getting that authentic experience. Um, and then this second thing that really stood out to me is that you are very conscientious about the experience that you’re delivering and uh, how you’re delivering that and, and everything from again being the working a farm that you are with the honeybees and um, also the equestrian scene and the polo team and the adult only. Geez. So really standing out both in the experience that you’re delivering and also, and the authenticity that you’re presenting.

Rebekah Greenhill: 11:47 Yes. Thank you. And it’s funny because that is our motto. It’s experienced, they authentic.

Nicole Mahoney: 11:53 Oh

Rebekah Greenhill: 11:55 yes. Our motto is experience the authentic. And we’ve truly embraced it and we’ve truly, um, that’s something that we truly feel and we, ah, want to showcase that and, and welcome our customers and our wine club members to also embrace that and really experience the onset authenticity, Virginia wine and a Virginia farm and that lifestyle. Um, and I think that’s, that’s something that people find very attractive and they want to be a part of it. And they’re also, Mmm. There, it also creates sort of a family environment with those, with our, um, customers. They come in and, and you know, we’re, it’s like a boutique. We’re a boutique and we’re close knit and, and then you look outside and you can see the horses and the cows and the, and the whole thing. So just provide that, that’s your experience in that, that [inaudible] bond with the place people truly are seeking.

Nicole Mahoney: 12:57 Yeah, definitely. So can you talk a little bit about the types of visitors that you get to your tasting room? Are you seeing a lot of, uh, visitors and tourists coming through? Is a, is a good balanced mix? The locals and, uh, you know, and out of towners,

Rebekah Greenhill: 13:16 I would say it’s a pretty good balance. I mean, we, we actually are quite lucky in that our neighbor is Shalon Ander resort and it’s a, uh, five star triple diamond resort. Um, they have done an amazing job bringing people from all over, um, all over the country to the area and we sort of have been able to sit back and enjoy, um, those, those folks that they bring in. Mmm know not to mention. DC is right there and DC is a no big travel hub and we get all kinds of people through there. Delegates, Congressman ambassadors, um, you know, business folks, uh, from the beltway, um, from the Dulles corridor. Uh, we, it’s a, it’s a real mix. So people from all over. We have wine club members all over the country. We have some wine clubs fans in London, so that’s been great. Um, but yeah, I would say it’s a really good mix and the tourism office has been fantastic in bringing us international folks. So we’ve had customers from, um, from Asia. I’m from South America, I’m from Europe. Um, so that’s been, that’s been a really cool experience and we love partnering with them in bringing, um, people that you have never been to Virginia before.

Nicole Mahoney: 14:47 Absolutely. Um, I think that’s a really fantastic, that able to have that balance and also just proximity of where you are as you mentioned to DC and also that you’re right next door. You know, you have this fabulous neighbor right next door that can feed you or you actually feed off of each other. Cause I’m sure you add to the attractiveness of there of their property that, that you’re so close by. So I think that’s really fantastic. So I went to, um, talk a little bit about challenges because I love to ask my guests, uh, this next question cause I’m always really curious about, um, how we face a challenge and the creativity that comes from it. I think we’re at our creative best sometimes when we’re in that problem solving mode. And so I’m wondering if there is a challenge that you have faced, uh, at the winery and then maybe a creative solution that you might share with us that you came up with as a result for that?

Rebekah Greenhill: 15:46 Probably the biggest challenge that we have. Faith. I would say it’s, it’s, it has to be the Yelp users.

Nicole Mahoney: 15:56 Mmm.

Rebekah Greenhill: 15:56 And I think everybody will start a lot of business owners, those sort of roll their eyes and laugh at that and, and agreeing, you know, that they guess, um, challenge for us has been, um, you know, the, the fact that customers can come in and if one thing they don’t like they can go on Yelp and it’s a review. And sometimes people take that as, um, you know, word or fact and, um, which is, I mean, I think it’s great. I mean, I use it as well and I, I read yep. Find places myself. Um, but it does also create a challenge for a business owner that he wouldn’t have otherwise had to face because you have to address the issues that are presented on Yelp and you can’t turn a blind eye. And, um, you do have to respond. Um, and sometimes it is the fault of the business, you know, and it’s, and it’s helpful because people will tell you, I mean, I’d rather they tell you in person, you know, face to face, um, then on Yelp, but, um, you know, you’ve read those things and you can, it helps you to improve.

Rebekah Greenhill: 17:02 Um, perhaps something that, um, you know, they drew attention to you that you do indeed need to fix. Um, yeah, that is probably been one of the most challenging things that we’ve faced. Um, and, uh, one of the, one of the main complaints that we’ve received was when we did go to adults only, um, and it was maybe for two or three months. Um, we had some people that were quite unhappy with the change. Um, and, but we’ve, you know, just to make people under, you know, sort of understand and yeah, enjoy what we’ve done, um, and realize it’s for their benefit. Um, you know, we’ve done introduced fun events like, you know, this April, we have an adult Easter egg hunt, you know, and we have several different, um, wine club memberships that, um, people have been able to really enjoy and common really kind of happening fund that they wouldn’t otherwise, you know, um, they had little ones in tow or something like that. [inaudible]

Rebekah Greenhill: 18:06 um, we had a, a great crush, a grape stomp last fall and [inaudible] members come out and they got [inaudible] stomp around in a bucket and they all had a lot of fun. And I think those kind of creative events, um, and sort of you’re sort of saying, Hey, you can come and [inaudible] [inaudible] kid, you can come and be the kid at the winery and enjoy it and, and, you know, have some fun and do something different. And, and that has really helped support our, our stance and our policy on, um, on children at the winery. So, and now it’s one of the number one reasons why people come to Greenhill. Apart from the fact that, that we are Mmm. Authentic kind of percent Virginia wine and a farm winery, um, people are drawn to the winery because, you know, it’s, it’s for this the kid at heart, you know, so, and that sort of what we’ve turned it into and people love it. So

Nicole Mahoney: 19:06 that’s great. Yeah, I think that’s a really good example and I’m glad you brought up Yelp because those review sites are, you know, an opportunity to learn, but it’s also part of your reputation and how you manage it really. Um, correct. It makes a huge difference. So I can see where that can be a great challenge. And I love the example of when you went to adults only and you know, some of those complaints you got and then your response to it totally creative and how that’s really just sounds like it’s very much turned around. Yeah, I think that’s fantastic. That’s a great example. So are there any projects coming up in the future that you’re excited about that you’d like to share with our listeners?

Rebekah Greenhill: 19:49 Yes, we have a couple of fun things down the line. Um, well, firstly we just one a goal on are sharp ne and we also won a gold at the Virginia governor’s cup. Um, on our mythology. It’s a red blend. So those are couple of fun things that we’ve been working on currently. Um, and then, yeah, the road we’ve got, it’s an exciting new line up the fence. We have a seller, it’s called the cops. And if you join that membership, you get access to, um, a special space at the winery. It’s a, it’s a wine cellar and you can store your wine there and [inaudible] okay. And, um, have different unique events that you wouldn’t otherwise experience at the winery, like blind tastings, things like that. So those events are coming around the corner. Um, the other big doing that work a part of, um, this spring is the a hundred anniversary at the Middleburg spring races.

Rebekah Greenhill: 20:55 The middle part, extreme races is and iconic people chase event. I’m at Glenwood park. It’s on April 18th, and we’re very excited because Greenhill will be serving the sparkling wine at the Middleburg life red carpet events. And we’re going to have just a lot of fun and talking to some of the people dressing up in the fashion [inaudible] does. And the then people really, um, you know, the tailgaters. And so that’s a really cool project we’re working on right now. And the other big project is called the district cup. It’s in Washington DC and it’s a polo match held on the national mall. And uh, we’d also do the champagne for that and the divot stomps, so that’s fine. Um, so those are a couple of things that are coming up. I’m just around the corner. Um, the other they project, and I’m, I’ve been working on the last couple of weeks, um, is our, our Sharlay cows. We actually, I have a CFA program, so, um, you can join that CSA program and buy a portion of a sphere. And right now they are being fed, um, a very healthy whole foods diet of vegetables and fruits and all delicious things at a beautiful place, um, just North of [inaudible], um, our winery and living a great life. So, um, that’s a cool project that we’re working on as well. So I would encourage you to visit our website and learn about the CSA program if you’re interested in local grass fed, um, and free range.

Nicole Mahoney: 22:38 That sounds awesome. I think that’s really, those are some really great examples. And, um, first of all, congratulations on the awards for the Chardonnay and for the red blends. Those sounds terrific. And I, I definitely need to get some of your wines. You’re making me thirsty as I’m talking to you. Right. Uh, but also, um, what I think is really cool about the list of projects that you’re involved in and is how involved, it sounds like you are in the community and really getting out into the community, um, you know, and taking part in those events. And is that also part of your, you know, giving back to the community? Is that part of your fabric and you’re kind of Mmm, marketing, if you will?

Rebekah Greenhill: 23:24 Yes. So we do a lot with the community as far as, um, working with some of the nonprofits and some of the, um, local organizations that further either the town of Middleburg and tourism or, um, different causes in Loudon. Um, so for example, the trust of the national mall is raising money for, um, the U S park police stables. And so we’ve been really working hard to support them with that cause. Um, and that’s something we’ve been collaborating on with [inaudible], the sound and resort in Middleburg. They’re also big supporters. Um, so that’s been really exciting. Um, the other organizations that we’ve been working with, the windy Hill foundation, they have a fantastic fundraising event every year. Um, and their, um, uh, profits go to, um, building homes for low income families and creating education programs for low income families in the area. So that’s, um, a really a great, um, partner that we’ve had in the are doing amazing things. Um, and the other, um, organizations that we’ve been working with, there are a lot [inaudible].

Rebekah Greenhill: 24:44 There’s so many in the area. There’s a couple of, uh, riding, uh, therapeutic riding programs near us that we just [inaudible] love. They do amazing things with their students and um, helping kids and adults ride that wouldn’t otherwise be able to just the coolest people and green Hill winery. Um, specifically my husband is a really big sponsor and supporter of those types of organizations and we are privileged to have them right there and our backyard and to be able to work closely with them to further their causes. So those are different, yeah. Collaborations in the area that we’ve had. And um, again, I could, I could name, uh, quite a few and go on, but yeah. Um, you know, it’s, it’s always for us. Um, you know, as far as, you know, as [inaudible] to have a winery for us is a blessing. And to be able to share that blessing with other people, it’s just a really huge privilege and, and there are things that we’ve been able to support and experience that we wouldn’t otherwise, uh, without the vineyard.

Nicole Mahoney: 25:50 Yeah. I think that’s great. And I, I appreciate you sharing, you know, sharing that, um, a little bit deeper with us because I think that it’s important to kind of understand the whole picture and I can really hear in your voice as you were describing, you know, those different organizations that you support, that you are passionate about it and that you know, you are really showing your gratitude and, and really, um, again, back to the authenticity, right? You’re doing it from the right place, uh, to really be helpful. So I think that’s really fantastic. So I wanted to, I’m also, you’re a little bit about collaboration and we’ve touched on it a little bit already as you’ve talked about your neighbor and you’ve talked about the [inaudible], the tourism industry. Um, but one of the things that I just, I really love about the tourism and hospitality industry is how much partnership and collaboration really does happen happen. Um, and it’s something I like to call coopertition because sometimes you might, you know, people who are collaborating or these [inaudible] companies or organizations might be perceived competitors, but they realize they can do something more together than they can really do on their own. And so I’m wondering if there is a collaboration that you have [inaudible] a part of that you know, has really worked and if you could share that, uh, with our listeners.

Rebekah Greenhill: 27:10 Well, I would say probably one of the biggest collaborations that we’ve had, one of the most impactful is with the salamander resort in Middleburg. Um, they have been fantastic partners for us and we have collaborated on so many events. Um, more specifically, um, you know, they will bring people out for weddings or, um, receptions, um, dinners. Um, for example, the Middleburg film festival in the fall. Um, the sound editor, uh, the owner, Sheila Johnson, she hosts that every year and except [inaudible] amazing events for the area and we love it. And green Hawaiian URI. Um, we are proud sponsors of that event and we host a dinner at the winery, um, to coincide with the, um, with the film festival. Um, it takes place in October and it’s just a beautiful time of year. The fall with the [inaudible] foliage and the weather is just gorgeous. And so that’s been a really cool experience and partnership for us.

Rebekah Greenhill: 28:16 This’ll be the, I believe, the sixth year that we will have been involved with the film festival with sound Nander and Sheila Johnson. So, um, that’s something that, um, specifically I can, I can say it’s been just a fantastic collaboration. I mean, there’s so many things people in the area that we’ve done that are amazing, uh, cooperative missions as you’re saying. And um, you know, um, I could, I could go on, but I would say the Middleburg combustible has been, um, one of those really cool, um, and different events where we have just had a great dynamic with the team and it’s just something that’s different and makes Middleburg stand out. And, um, you know, it’s truly something that I hope that people come from all over to visit. And I know they do. So,

Nicole Mahoney: 29:05 yeah, I think that’s fantastic. And so I’m, Rebecca, I’m actually going to ask you this question. Given your perspective, um, you’re coming from a startup, a winery that was a startup, and these relationships, like the relationship with the sale Amanda resort for example, or with your tourism office. Um, do you have any advice for our listeners that might be maybe just entering this industry or like you in a startup situation and how, what really worked for you to go out and find those relationships or to find those partnerships? Like I said, whether it’s your tourism office or, or a neighbor like the salamander resort or any of these events that you’ve mentioned, are there any words of wisdom that you can share with our listeners who might be, you know, in a similar situation?

Rebekah Greenhill: 29:55 Yeah, I would say, you know, when you, when you are first launching a business, you need to look at, um, the folks that are either in your industry or your neighborhood or close proximity. Um, they are not competition. They are our partners and I, we really value strategic partnership for us. [inaudible] man, the number one thing that has gotten us to where we are today. Um, and you know, knock on wood, okay. So far everything has been fantastic and the winery is doing so well and we’re very blessed. Um, but I would say those strategic partnerships are irreplaceable and they are, it’s really something that, um, has taken us, has helped us, um, to get where we are today. So I would say to a new business owner, don’t be afraid to start that conversation. Even if your neighbor doesn’t bring the cookies first, that’s okay.

Rebekah Greenhill: 30:54 Make her cookies and bring them and you start the conversation and that how you’re going to get, um, get going. And you know, that’s actually kind of what we did with the resort in a little bit of a way. My husband then, I mean, gosh, they gave us a lot of cookies. My husband actually said, um, I want to open the same day that the resort opens and we’re going to do something together and it’s going to be really great. And we did. Yeah. And he collaborated with them and we collaborated with the town. And from that day, we have had an amazing relationship ever since. And that was key for us to take that step and just [inaudible] do it and think, I think that that’s something that a new business center needs to keep in mind. Um, don’t wait for things to happen, make it happen. And, um, that has been really key for us.

Rebekah Greenhill: 31:47 And I’m grateful that he said that and I’m grateful that we did it. And you know, here we are and it is the same [inaudible] with the tourism office. I mean, they’ve been so supportive of us and they have been just, Oh, fantastic. And so we, we, we bring them events and we bring them partnerships and we invite them to things and, and vice versa. So it’s very much in mutually beneficial. I think that’s also something where, um, new business owners need to keep that in mind, you know, um, you know, help to help each other out and, you know, we’re all in this together and there’s a way to make it work.

Nicole Mahoney: 32:23 Yeah, I think that’s great. Those are two really great. Um, or several actually, but two really great, uh, words of wisdom here with the just do it. Don’t wait for things to happen and make it happen. It’s really great. I love the analogy to bringing cookies, our neighbor. I think that’s a really important point, right? Don’t be, or the wine or for your wine or bring the wine exactly right. But also the, about it in terms of a mutual benefit. It’s not one sided and you know, you’re going to, you’re going to give in order to receive and it’s just, it’s this ongoing relationship. So I think that that’s a really great point as well. Rebecca, this has been such a fantastic conversation as I knew it would be. Do you have any final words or thoughts that you’d like to share with our listeners before we say goodbye?

Rebekah Greenhill: 33:13 No, I would just say, you know, to those, um, new, um, new business owners or somebody getting into the wine industry, um, just have fun with it. Um, let’s does your creativity flow and just have fun with it and yeah. You know, try something. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay. Try again. Um, and if that doesn’t work, try again. So, and it’s okay. Um, the, you know, we’ve done, we presented a lot of things and tried a lot of things that failed. [inaudible] if you haven’t failed, then you’re not really, um, maybe that, you know, that’s a sign that you’re not doing much. So it’s okay to have failures and it’s okay to start something that doesn’t work. Um, that’s the only way that we’re going to learn and find things that do work. And um, you know, that being said, yeah, like even if it doesn’t work out, have fun with it. Um, take what you can and learn from it and go from there.

Nicole Mahoney: 34:09 Love it, have fun with it. Thank you so much, Rebecca, for joining us and we’ll look forward to tasting some of those wines.

Rebekah Greenhill: 34:17 Yes, absolutely. I’ll ship you some.

Nicole Mahoney: 34:20 Awesome. Thank you. Thank you for listening all the way to the end of this week’s episode. This gives me a chance to ask you for a favor. We have a goal to reach 100 ratings and reviews on our podcast by the end of 2020. We are already well on our way to meeting this goal. Need your help. I love sharing my interviews with you and if you enjoy them too, I would a greatly appreciate you giving us a rating and review. Click the iTunes or Stitcher link on destination on the left.com or leave one right in your favorite app where you listen most often. It only takes a minute and your support,

Speaker 1: 34:56 it means a lot. It’s time to hit the road again. Visit destination on the left.com during your travels for more podcasts, show notes and fresh ideas.

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