We talked with Parker Putcha, President of Adam Puchta Winery and learned about his family's history operating one of the oldest continuously family-owned wineries in the United States. Parker discussed growing up on the property and returning to take over leadership, where he aims to carry on the legacy while improving production and creating memorable experiences for customers through unique events, wine tastings, and investing in staff.
Some key takeaways from the interview:
- The importance of high quality grapes for producing good wine.
- Creating memorable experiences for customers through personalized interactions.
- Building relationships with grape growers and customers to ensure quality.
- Making continuous small improvements to processes while honoring tradition.
- The challenges of upgrading infrastructure in an historic business.
- Learning from mistakes but continuing to make decisions and move forward.
- Investing in staff development to build a knowledgeable team and loyal customers.
- Balancing respect for history with a vision for the future of the business.
- Sourcing grapes locally for more control over quality and scheduling.
- Ongoing work to improve soil health and vineyard management practices.