A Big Idea from Amista’s First Vineyard Tour

How a Friend's Idea...

…sparked lifelong friendships.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.

Back when the idea of Amista was just taking root—our first wines resting in barrels but not yet in bottles—we decided to take a bold step and host a vineyard tour at Passport to Dry Creek Valley, the premier wine and food event in Sonoma County.

Our long-time friends Meg and Dale (who two years earlier had helped Mike make Syrah in our Healdsburg garage) flew in from Colorado to join us and lend a hand. Together, Meg and I baked cookies and prepared quiches for our morning guests, but her true contribution went far beyond the kitchen.

While we were planning the tour, Meg suggested we invite our guests to sign up for a mailing list. “Mailing list?” I thought. It hadn’t even crossed my mind! At that time, my husband Mike was pouring his passion into making wine, and I was still focused on my career in executive coaching and consulting. Building a wine business was the furthest thing from my mind.

But Meg's simple idea turned out to be a game-changer. That very first mailing list sign-up sheet forged connections that have grown into lasting friendships. The folks who joined us that day didn’t just become subscribers—they became part of the Amista family.

Since then, we’ve shared countless memories with them: barbecues at our home, brunches at the winery, and joyous celebrations of their marathons, birthdays, and family reunions—always with Amista wine in hand. We’ve watched their kids grow up and welcomed their friends and family members into our wine club.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think how one small suggestion had such a profound impact on Amista. It’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures can lead to the biggest changes. You can read more about this wonderful group of friends and our shared journey in another post, “The Best Wines are Those Shared with Friends.”

Still Thirsty?

Learn More About How Mike and Dale Made Garage Wine

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