Behind most great things in life, there is a great story. This is a story that marks the beginning of Spicy Vines, a very special wine and a tenacious women who sought to create something new.

Our story begins in Germany, where adventurous young ex-pat Crystalyn found herself in search for that certain “je ne sais quoi”. Coming across a variety of curious discoveries in her travels, one in particular inspired her to venture into the world of wine.

Drifting through the slush-filled streets one cold winter day at the Frankfurt Christmas market, Crystalyn stumbled upon the seducing laughter and clinking of glasses. The eyes of those enjoying their drinks seemed to hold a secret. She knew she had come to the right place. A group of locals became her guide and introduced her to an exotic new flavor of Glühwein – a hot spiced wine traditionally served hot around the holidays. It warmed not only her throat, but also her spirit as she found family among strangers and euphoria among the spice. It was the missing ingredient to her travels, the taste that brought it all together.

Returning home to California’s wine country, Crystalyn never forgot the kindness of people among her travels, or the warming taste of the spiced wine she had. While Glühwein is not easily found in Sonoma County, or California for that matter, she was determined to try to recreate it herself. In doing so, her adventure began.

Months of experiments later, Crystalyn finally captured the exact taste of spontaneity that she was looking for, and bottled it with her own California twist. The “Original Blend” Spiced Wine was born, so was a new category of wine (Spiced Wine) and the winery we now love as Spicy Vines. It’s the taste that, no matter where or when it is opened, warms strangers to friends, friends to lovers and lovers to true adventurers.

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