Amy LaBelle’s Journey as a Winemaker & Entrepreneur
- Follow Your Epiphany: Amy’s leap from law to winemaking began with a life-changing vacation epiphany. She urges us to listen to our inner callings, no matter how inconvenient they might seem.
- Overcoming Challenges: Facing a male-dominated industry and financial hurdles, Amy’s persistence and innovation highlight the power of passion and determination.
Podcast
Overview
Welcome back to another enlightening episode of The Brand Called You. In this episode, our host, Ashutosh Garg, introduces us to the remarkable Amy LaBelle, who shares her riveting journey from a Boston attorney to an acclaimed winemaker, entrepreneur, and lifestyle influencer. Amy’s story is not just about wine, but about passion, persistence, and creating memorable experiences for her community.
From Attorney to Winemaker: A Life-Changing Epiphany
Amy LaBelle’s transformation began with an unexpected vacation detour to a small winery in Nova Scotia, Canada. This serendipitous visit ignited an overwhelming passion for winemaking. Despite having just accepted a prestigious role at Fidelity and being burdened with significant student debt, she couldn’t shake off this newfound calling. Amy passionately shared how it took her 4,083 days – over 12 years – to turn this dream into reality, a journey marked by daily perseverance.
Crafting Her First Wine in a Boston Apartment
Amy’s journey into winemaking started in the most modest of settings—her Boston apartment. She candidly recalled buying blueberries and makeshift winemaking equipment to create her first batch of blueberry wine. Her apartment, filled with carboys of various fruit wines, became a testament to her dedication and burgeoning love for the craft.
Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
Discussing the challenges faced in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Amy highlighted that only a small fraction of the world’s winemakers and winery owners are women. Her entry into this field was indeed formidable—especially as New England’s only female winemaker at the time. Amy found support beyond her local community, particularly from winemakers in California, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance without fear.
Evolution of Winemaking and Diversifying LaBelle Winery
Amy’s approach to winemaking has significantly evolved since 2005. From hand-bottling in her early days to now producing thousands of gallons, her techniques have refined. A UC Davis education further sharpened her skills, ensuring her wines are as natural and unadulterated as possible.
LaBelle Winery has grown beyond winemaking into a full-fledged destination with restaurants, events, and even golf courses. Amy envisioned a space where people could gather for enriching experiences and has been hosting over 700 events annually, reinforcing her commitment to community engagement.
Winemaker’s Kitchen: Merging Culinary Art with Winemaking
An extension of Amy’s culinary love is the Winemaker’s Kitchen. This brand offers wine-infused products and spice blends designed to make gourmet cooking accessible and enjoyable. With products like blueberry red wine jam and Riesling citrus marmalade, Amy aims to bring the flavors of wine into everyday cooking, aspiring for nationwide reach soon.
Philosophy of Savor, Celebrate, and Enjoy
A core mantra that Amy lives by is to savor, celebrate, and enjoy each moment. Whether through her devotion to her family, her community, or in everyday activities, Amy strives to make every day count. This philosophy is embedded in her personal and professional life and is something she encourages her customers to embrace.
Building a Personal Brand and Staying True to Values
Beyond the winery, Amy has cultivated a personal brand as a lifestyle influencer. She uses her platform to share practical tips for balancing a busy professional life with family time. Ensuring that her values of faith, service, and community upliftment are central to her endeavors, Amy continues to inspire others to achieve their dreams.
Looking Ahead: The Vision for LaBelle Winery
For the future, Amy envisions expanding LaBelle Winery’s presence beyond New Hampshire, aiming for national distribution while maintaining the high-quality, community-centered experience her brand is known for.
In conclusion, Amy LaBelle’s story is a testament to following one’s passion and the transformative power of persistence. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a wine enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights and an invigorating spirit.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Amy LaBelle : Linkedin
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- 🔹 Follow Your Epiphany: Amy’s leap from law to winemaking began with a life-changing vacation epiphany. She urges us to listen to our inner callings, no matter how inconvenient they might seem.
- 🔹 Overcoming Challenges: Facing a male-dominated industry and financial hurdles, Amy’s persistence and innovation highlight the power of passion and determination.
