Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel Warnshuis, owner of Utopia Winery, located in Newberg, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an Estate winery that grows, produces, and sells our wines directly to consumers through our mailing lists, tasting room, and tasting society.
Tell us about yourself
I started my wine journey in my mid-twenties as a collector and then as a wine wholesaler and retailer in Napa, CA. Over time as my wine knowledge increased, I was inspired by the small producers in Burgundy that make wines from grapes they grow themselves (vigneron). This led me to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and in 2000 I purchased 19 acres of farmland in the Ribbon Ridge American Viticulture Area. I developed the Utopia Vineyard from scratch over the next 12 years. I love the lifestyle of being a vigneron and enjoy all of the many aspects of the wine business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Successful brand building from scratch to become one of the best wines in the region and the world.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being able to adapt to changing business conditions as a farmer and producers, we face many challenges, from climate change to changing demographics of our customers.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your passion.
- Keep your day job in the beginning.
- Start small and earn your stripes at each step before expanding.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.utopiawine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utopiavineyard
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utopiavineyard/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/utopiavineyard
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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