Launching a Winery, Growth, and Wine Connections With Mike Metheny of Three of Cups Winery

Mike Metheny is the Owner and Winemaker at Three of Cups Winery. With a background in technology, Mike’s journey into the world of wine is as unique as the vintages he crafts. From Boeing Employees Wine and Beer Making Club to Napa trips, his passion for winemaking grew. Balancing tech and a newfound passion, he pursued enology education. With Lisa Swei, his partner and co-founder, Mike’s home-brewed wines paved the way for Three of Cups Winery. Their shared passion forged a new path, proving that diverse interests can yield rewarding ventures.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
• Discover the intricate web of wine connections in Woodinville
• Learn about Mike’s experience in transitioning from a tech background to the wine industry
• Uncover the inspiration behind the name “Three of Cups” and the symbolism it holds for the winery
• Gain insights into the challenges and strategies of launching a winery, and the transformative journey of scaling production
• Explore the advantages of flexibility as a small winery and how it contrasts with the challenges faced when scaling up
• Delve into Three of Cups’ connection with 11 vineyards and their philosophy of letting the fruit thrive where it’s best suited
• Take a trip down memory lane as Mike discusses winemaking evolution over a decade, embracing simplicity and the unique character of each vintage
• Discover the role of barrels and wood in shaping the flavors of Three of Cups’ wines
• Learn about the strategies behind growing Three of Cups’ wine club and explore the Artisan Hill landscape
• Pick up from Mike’s wisdom as he shares advice on maintaining healthy partnerships in the wine industry
• Insights into the balance between direct-to-consumer sales and distribution for a small boutique winery

In this episode with Mike Metheny
Explore the challenges and triumphs of launching and scaling a winery and gain valuable perspectives on embracing simplicity in winemaking while reflecting the uniqueness of each vintage.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Mike Metheny, Owner, and Winemaker of Three of Cups Winery. Mike takes us through the art of navigating partnerships in business and life and offers advice on staying motivated in the world of wine. Discover how Three of Cups Winery’s philosophy of supporting local wineries resonates through Mike’s journey, as he shares the joys of connecting with vineyards, growing wine clubs, and crafting wines that tell the story of Woodinville’s rich winemaking landscape.

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