10 Years of Spicy Vines

A decade of building, becoming, and believing in something bigger.

Ten years.

It’s wild to even write that.

What started in 2011 as a simple idea—to build something of my own and create a product I believed in—has grown into the winery I’m proud to call Spicy Vines today. But the path here was anything but straightforward.

Spicy Vines began with very humble beginnings. I had just graduated from college. I had no money. At the time, I was also helping care for my dad as his health was declining. I needed something that would allow me to create my own schedule—something flexible, something mine.

At the same time, I was inspired.

While traveling through Europe, I fell in love with spiced wine. It was something I hadn’t experienced back home in the same way—warm, layered, comforting, and completely memorable. I remember a conversation with my mom during that trip. She suggested I bring back something I loved from my travels—something unique that didn’t exist in the U.S.

I wrote that idea down in a small notebook I carried with me everywhere while backpacking.

And it stuck.

That idea—simple at the time—became the foundation for Spicy Vines.

The Early Days

In the beginning, we went to every event we possibly could. Farmers markets, wine events, pop-ups—anything that would get us in front of people.

And something special happened.

Because the wine was so different, people remembered it. Every event, we stood out. That uniqueness helped us slowly carve out a place within the San Francisco foodie scene. It wasn’t overnight, but it was real momentum.

For a period, we operated out of a house in Napa we called the “Spicy Manor.” It was creative, fun, and honestly a little wild—in the best way. Think Burning Man energy meets wine tasting. It was an incredible chapter, but it wasn’t sustainable as a licensed tasting room.

We knew we needed something more permanent. A place to truly build the brand.

Meeting Doug & Finding Our Home

In 2014, at the Union Street Wine Walk in San Francisco, I met Doug.

We connected almost instantly. He was an artist and winemaker. I was a young entrepreneur trying to figure it all out. Over time, that connection grew into a partnership—both in business and in life.

Doug began making wine for Spicy Vines, and together we started to build something much bigger than either of us could have done alone.

In 2015, we launched our Zinfandel.

Shortly after, an opportunity came up in Healdsburg—fast and unexpected. A tasting room space became available, and it needed someone to step in immediately.

What’s funny is this was actually the first tasting room I had ever visited in Healdsburg, back when it was Stark Wine Company. I had no idea at the time that it would one day become ours.

Within a month, we negotiated the lease and signed on.

And then the real work began.

Building 441 Healdsburg Ave

We poured everything into that space.

Late nights. Hands-on work. Every detail mattered.

I still remember sitting on the floor one night, taking apart the front door lock piece by piece because we couldn’t leave until it worked. That’s how it was—figure it out, fix it, keep going.

We built that tasting room with intention, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

And over time, it became something more than just a place to taste wine.

It became a space where:

– Friendships were formed
– Couples got engaged
– Music filled the room
– Conversations turned into connections

It became the soul of Spicy Vines.

Growing Into It

Running a tasting room taught me everything.

How to host.
How to sell.
How to move quickly while still making people feel seen.
How to build a brand not just through product—but through experience.

Those aren’t things you learn in a classroom.

You learn them on your feet, behind the bar, in real time.

And I’m so grateful for that.

A Full-Circle Moment

Now, ten years in, the experience feels even deeper.

I get to watch my daughter grow up in this space.

She runs around the tasting room, colors at the tables, helps where she can, and watches us build something—day by day. She sees the work. The creativity. The effort behind every bottle.

She’s growing up inside a business that was once just an idea in a notebook.

And that, to me, is one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.

The People Behind It All

Spicy Vines has never been built alone.

I’m incredibly proud of our team—especially Declan, who started with us in high school making charcuterie boards and has grown into our Tasting Room Manager. Watching his evolution as both a person and a leader has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

And our community—this is where the real gratitude lives.

To our wine club members.
To our friends.
To everyone who has shown up, supported us, and believed in what we’re building.

Maria, who brings incredible food to our events.
Adam Lieb, whose music helps define our vibe.
John and Kelly O’Neill, who continue to support us from afar.

So many people have been part of this story.

And we wouldn’t be here without you.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 10 years of Spicy Vines, I find myself doing two things at once:

Looking back with deep gratitude.
And looking forward with real excitement.

The wine industry isn’t easy right now. But if the last decade has taught me anything, it’s that resilience, creativity, and community matter more than anything else.

We’ve built something real here at 441 Healdsburg Ave.

And we’re just getting started.

Here’s to the next chapter.