How did you get into wine? My story.
How did you get into wine?
It seems to be the default wine dinner question. When I was first starting out in the industry back in 2006, I felt that I didn’t have the right answer. At the time, everyone else was an industry veteran to me and had the perfect experience to share. Either they had a wine that “changed their life”, or could tell you exquisite details about an older vintage bottle they had tasted in someone’s private cellar.
As a newcomer, this wasn’t me.
My story is one I can remember vividly every June.
I had spent a summer in Spain as a college student, and lived with a family in Valladolid who, in between classes, spoiled me with long mid-day meals, easy Spanish wine, and late(!) dinners. My host family made paella and included me in their friend gatherings. My professors took us to places where we tasted wine. I ate too much, tried new things, took siestas, spoke a new language, and experienced an incredible culture that included wine. Wine wasn’t the centerpiece, but it was an important component of the overall experience.
Your story is one of your most valuable assets.
After more time in the industry, I found out that this story was worth telling - and refreshing to others - because it was different. I wasn’t seeking the best bottle. I first fell in love with the culture of wine.
After working with more brands, I did have the privilege of trying those special older vintage bottles and visiting those private cellars, while learning the business of wine. Now that I have those (amazing) stories to tell, I still make sure to share the original, authentic one that stands out from the rest.
Brands often struggle with telling their own authentic story.
It’s especially complicated to tell your story consistently across an array of platforms, initiatives, and people, while keeping the execution top notch. With Clarity & Co, I step in to help as strategic marketing consultant, project manager, or extension of your team. Larger brands will win on price and distribution, but you’ll win over hearts with your story and beautiful execution.
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About Clarity & Co
Clarity & Co’s mission is to offer marketing consulting, trade relations, and project management services to the premium wine industry, and to do so with clarity and collaboration, or Clarity & Co.
Owner Theresa Wray’s career in the wine industry spans 17 years, helping wineries, importers and distributors turn their marketing challenges into successes. Her corporate experience includes 13 years with Maisons Marques & Domaines, leading marketing operations for the renowned luxury portfolio of brands.
She started Clarity & Co in 2020 to continue this work with a more custom approach with both domestic and imported brands. Theresa graduated from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast, and holds the WSET III Advanced wine certification.