Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Robinson.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After nearly 20 years working internationally for Fortune 500 media agencies, I made a hard left turn in 2019 and chose to follow my passion: the world of fine and rare wine. For the last 8 years I’ve worked just about every role possible on the retail side of the wine trade: inventory management and purchasing, ecommerce commercialization, new user acquisition, producing high-profile tasting events, and squeezing in as many sample bottles and producer trips across the world as possible. And it’s been amazing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The industry’s been bumpy but the ride’s been fun. You just have to know how much work goes into it.
We’ve been impressed with Taste of Sta Rita Hills, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A husband-and-wife team bringing you the best of the Sta. Rita Hills
Cheers! We are Michael and Marlene Robinson, former wine club members turned owners of this tasting room. We met Antonio and Jeni Moretti, the original owners, back in 2014 when the tasting room was located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Over the next 8 years of visiting the Santa Ynez Valley from our then-home in Los Angeles, we knew our passion for the wines from this region would somehow become deeper. When we told the Moretti’s about our permanent move to the valley in 2022, they approached us about buying their business so they could settle into retirement. And long story short… here we are! We are proud owners of Taste of Santa Rita Hills and Moretti Wine Company as of August 2023, excited to carry on the Moretti’s business model of sharing the highest quality, limited-production wines from this special corner of Santa Barbara County. We also continue the tradition behind Moretti wines, bringing you Italian varietals grown locally – plus the customer favorite Moretti Prosecco imported from Valdobbiadene, Italy.
Michael had previously worked for two large east coast wine retailers (Zachy’s and Sherry-Lehmann) as a west coast wine buyer and marketer. Marlene held a corporate marketing job but traveled extensively to Italy every chance she could. Together we explored wines from Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Northern California and on up to Walla Walla, Washington. Certainly, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay hold a special place in our hearts, but we definitely don’t discriminate against Old World Bordeaux style wines either. Marlene’s favorites from Italy are Saffredi Super Tuscans, while Michael says his favorites are too many to list (make sure you have enough time for this conversation).
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
We sell more of our partner’s wines than most of the largest retailers in the United States!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tasteofstaritahills.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasteofstaritahills
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasteofstaritahills
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldavidrobinson/
