Thank you, Kestrel Wines
At the BizJam evening soireé last year, Lara and I had the privilege of handing out half a dozen bottles of wine to members of the Biznik community who made extraordinary contributions during the previous year. All the the bottles were provided to us by Kestrel Wine, one of the very first companies to sponsor BizJam. We’re delighted to have Kestrel back as a sponsor at this year’s event, where Kestrel wines will be poured at a reduced price to all conference attendees.
Kestrel, which is a Washington winery, is doing some interesting things not only with how they make wine, but also in how they market it. I interviewed Kestrel’s Kelly Koon (who is also a Biznik member) recently, to find out more about both.
Q: Tell me a the short story behind Kestrel Wine.
We basically have two categories of wines: our Collector series “Lady” bottle wines, and our Ultra Premium/Winemaker Select wines. I specifically work to promote our “Lady” wines-the “Lady in Red” and “Pure Platinum” wines and I have recently (last September) created a women’s wine club called “The Vinevixens” to promote these “hard working ladies.”
The “Vinevixens” were started to build relationships with our customers as bringing Kestrel to the forefront as a leader in giving back to the community with great wines! We bring sign up sheets to all of the events we pour at and collect contact information for women interested in learning more about wine, supporting charity and having fun.
ALL events need great wine to, as I say, as the “libatious lubrication” for the audience and enhance the event/auction and make a great experience for all involved. We offer a huge discount for 501c3 charities to bring our wine into their events and help raise funds for these causes. We also can come and pour our wines at events to help the charity and sell the wine to raise funds for the charity. There are pictures on the website of the events we have done in the last year.
Our wines - in particular our Lady in Red - red blend collector series wines, and Pure Platinum-white blend collector series wines are fantastic everyday wines and once you’ve experienced them at a great event that perhaps is even raising money for a cause close to your heart, you will connect with Kestrel and bring the ladies home with you when you encounter them out on your trips to the market!
Q: What is special about Kestrel wines relative to other wines produced in Washington?
There are many Washington wineries striving to do what Kestrel is doing! We are a work in progress and have come a long way!
Below is our mission and vision statements.. basically, we are a small group of people passionately dedicated to creating outstanding uncompromising wines that create a special moment in your everyday and enhance your special occasion…
Our Vision-
Kestrel innovatively crafts wines of the highest caliber, showcasing the unique terroir of the Pacific Northwest. Through passion, knowledge and stewardship, we give our customers, community, and the world a little piece of the good life.
Our Mission-
We delight our customers with the Kestrel experience. One taste reveals masterfully tended vineyards, innovative winemaking techniques and unrieveled hospitality.
Q: What was the last book you read?
“The True Power of Water” by Masaru Emoto
I am curious about the energy we put into wine ultimately affecting the energy that will come out of it… and about the power of water in general.
I was just at Deception Falls yesterday.. WOW, check it –POWER!
Q: Is there anything that you’ve learned by making amazing wine that applies to small business in general, that you can share with our readers?
Wine can be something to look forward to - a special retreat in a glass… Our goal is to create a relationship with our customers so that they know we made that special wine for them and they can count on us to ‘be there for them’, after a ‘day you want to drink after’ 
or for their special event! It seems that small business realizes and respects the POWER of the “customer relationship” over the big huge conglomerates that rule the world now a days. The webs and nets of relationships that support small business’ are strong!
Q: Who are your role models or mentors and why?
My father, who started a printing business in the basement of our house the year I was born. He was also a home winemaker, his business took off through his connections and the way he did business more than the advertising he paid for, his wine- well, not so much, but he worked hard and was always open to ways his business could help others. He grew his business BY helping others to have better lives, I believe that is a powerful way to do business and live life!
Q: How does Kestrel Wines define success?
Happy, satisfied returning customers who clammer to have more of our fantastic wines and the freedom our winemaker has to creatively and innovative-ly make very wonderful high quality wines.
Q: Why is Kestrel sponsoring BizJam?
Biznik seems to attract successful people who have found a middle groung between the old saying “Live to work or work to live.” I’ve always thought of myself as someone who “works to live” but when you are an entrepreneur and your life is your work, there has to be a way to marry the two harmoniously and the people I’ve met through Biznik seem to have the “greater good” tied into their business plan - for themselves personally as well as for a special supportive community that is being formed through Biznik.
Kestrel wants to be the wine that flows for these unique successful individuals as we at Kestrel are excited about creating new and innovative winemaking and marketing techniques and building a special relationship with our customers.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thanks for the post about Kestrel. This has been my favorite winery for years and I’m proud to say I’m a wine club member. I would stack Kestrel against anyone and am actually the proud owner of a bottle of Tribute Red. I’m glad Kestrel can sponsor Bizjam. That’s another feather in their cap!