meet rachel
Rachel Edwards has been involved in the New England wine community for over 10 years. After spending a considerable amount of time in the Long Island wine region and living for 2 years in Napa Valley, CA, Rachel moved to Connecticut where she was partners in renovating and breathing new life in an old dairy farm that had been converted to a winery back in the seventies. Her 8 year old daughter and 10 year old son have helped with harvest every year since the age they could walk. Rachel was responsible for handling all of the marketing, design, packaging, heading up the tasting room, as well as creating concerts, festivals and coordinating weddings, all of which attracted thousands of visitors + customers from around the country as well as the world. During this time, she was proud to be a member of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association {CVWA} believing that there were true talents in this growing wine community and was inspired by the quality of wines being produced by her colleagues and the unique experience each different winery offered.
A challenge for the New England wineries has always been the misperception and lack of awareness of the strength of this community and Rachel knew one day she wanted to be involved in helping to spread the word of the greatness available in our own backyards.
After leaving the Connecticut winery in 2008 to pursue other interests, Rachel consulted for a few different wineries on how to better market themselves to the ever increasing population of wine affecionados and budding young community of savvy wine consumers. She also was involved in establishing event and wedding programs at other local wineries centered around her belief that vineyards by nature lend themselves to the most intimate, elegant, organic + memorable events.
This blog is Rachel’s way of pouring the love. A place where anyone looking to participate in this community can find information in a comprehensive and user friendly way. Understanding what consumers want and providing it to them is what she does best.
“The wine industry has given me the gift of being invited into people’s lives I would never have otherwise met. To engage in a casual conversation over a bottle of wine, ease their nerves on their wedding day, celebrate their anniversaries + birthdays, expand their knowledge and passion for wine and help people escape from the crazed pace of their everyday lives, that is what is truly important. Wineries are special, hidden treasures where life moments are created and to be a part of that in any way… I am forever grateful.”
To support Rachel’s love of green consciousness, local flavors and preserving our community farms, a portion of all membership dues from all participating wineries + vendors will go to the Connecticut Farm Bureau + the American Farmland Trust.
