Every year, we are lucky to see more and more women in the alcohol industry, and we couldn't love it more. In honor of Women's History Month, we're highlighting 3 local and women-owned brands. We highly suggest checking out their stories below and grabbing samples of their hard work right here at Acme Liquor Store in Crested Butte!
Montanya Distillers
In Crested Butte we have the amazing Montanya Distillers. They're a frequent flyer in the blog and in our store because not only do they have great products, but they are a pleasure to work with.
Karen Hoskin, the founder of Montanya, learned early in life that high quality alcohol matters. Not only did she fall in love with aged Indian dark rum while traveling at the age of 21, but living with Celiac she knew she couldn't have beer when in the mood for an alcoholic beverage.
Almost 20 years later, that love developed into what we know as Montanya Distillers and the delicious high mountain rum (and amazing cocktails) we know today!
You can learn more about Karen and Montanya's commitment to diversity and gender diversity on their website: https://www.montanyarum.com/staff
Buckel Family Wine
We were lucky enough to chat with Shamai Buckel of Buckel Family Wine and she had some advice for women looking to enter the alcohol industry. Buckel Family Wine is a family-owned business located in Gunnison Valley. Wine lovers near and far can enjoy their makes by ordering from their website ,joining their Wine Club or stop in and ask us about our favs. They even do virtual tastings!
Let's chat with Shamai:
Acme Liquor Store: Can you tell us a little about how you got into winemaking?
Shamai Buckel: An interest in creating and a love for local products. Winemaking is a beautiful melding of science and art, fermenting grapes to wine all the wine touching, smelling, and tasting. It's the process that I love.
Acme Liquor Store: What is your role in the company?
Shamai Buckel: I am a co-founder of Buckel Family Wine. In a small company we wear many hats and are continually innovating to build our brand.
Acme Liquor Store: Any advice or insights for other women who are looking to get into the industry?
Shamai Buckel: Determine your strengths and find a good team of people to work with.
Snowcapped Cider
Our third and final highlight: This family-owned cidery out of Cederedge, Colordo is lead by the wife and husband team of Kari and Ty Williams. Kari, the family's matriarch, leads the industry in her creativity of marketing, sales, and distribution.
Snowcapped offers creative ciders beyond the traditional apple. You can find a variety of flavors and fruits, including peaches and cherries, plus innovative options like Plum Lemongrass and Jala-PEAR-no. You can even pick up a Lavender Lemonade Spritzer!
Snowcapped’s high-quality cider-specific fruit is grown in Colorado following authentic orchard-based English and French styles, thus eliminating the need for added artificial sugars to achieve a clean, fresh taste - does it get any better than that?!
Check out all the flavors on their website and come into Acme Liquor Store to grab what piques your interest!