The Story
Every good story starts with a glass of wine, right? The story begins with the new vintage release of a Chardonnay.
Sara's go to wine is traditionally a white wine - Viognier, being amongst the top contenders. It was like Brian knew. This Chardonnay Brian made, friends, was truly a work of art.
But, let's cut to the chase. Soon these two colleagues turned love birds realized how perfect life could be with each other. Both being married prior, marriage was (at first!) not in the forecast. The focus was enjoying things that were loved together - good wine, good food, travel, family, creating new traditions and truly just having fun.
One night there was an epiphany. Brian and Sara realized they wanted to make a bigger difference in the wine and hospitality industry. The decision to quit the traditional "9am-5pm" (which, those of you in the industry can now laugh as there is nothing traditional with the schedule for a Tasting Room/Direct to Consumer Manager or Winemaker), was not taken lightly. But with the support of each other and friends and family, they took the leap. The leap was not just to quit the "9am-5pm", but to step back, decompress and really understand where and how to leave a legacy.
During COVID, Brian and Sara were considered a part of the 'Essential Workforce'. As part of the Agriculture and Farming Industry, wine, played an important part during the Pandemic. Although some thought it was risky, they traveled a lot during COVID, to relax from the long and physically demanding days at work. Travel during COVID - ahhh, was amazing. Low fares, low rates, low crowds, room upgrades, no traffic were just some of the things they enjoyed. As they have reflected on their travels and experiences they couldn't help but focus on the word 'home'. Brian and Sara feel at home with each other and their family (..they just got hitched! whoo hoo!), they feel at home with wine and food (foodies here!), they feel at home when traveling, they felt at home with the land and educating others on all things wine.
Hometown Wine Company's goal is to share with you the love of wine, food, travel, pride of the land through giving back, knowledge of farming and winemaking plus a passion for outstanding hospitality.
Brian and Sara express, "The Hometown Wine Company adventure is just beginning and we couldn't be more thrilled. We hope you will join the Hometown Wine Company's story."
Brian Hulbert
Brian Hulbert
Brian Hulbert
Brian, a New Yorker, grew up in the small, upstate village of Manchester, New York. The Hulbert family owned a business in the village and the community in which they valued. Brian's childhood revolved around sports and anything to do with being outside including in the below freezing New York temperatures.
In Manchester, Brian would spend his early adulthood learning and making wine in the basement with his Dad as his hobby. Brian's Dad, a self taught home winemaker, taught Brian how the land near the Finger Lakes region impacted the wines. Brian is very passionate about everything from grape to bottle to enjoyment. "Winemaking is the art of understanding the uniqueness of the land and ensure it shines through to each wine." states Brian.
A graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Business Marketing Degree and a minor in Environmental Studies, Brian then later moved to Northern California where he graduated from UC Davis with a Winemaking Degree.
Professionally he has over 30 years of experience in the wine business with 24 vintages as a Winemaker. Brian has made some of the most iconic wines throughout the states of California and Oregon with a variety of brands including Kendall Jackson, Gallo and Clos du Bois. He has learned different winemaking and viticulture techniques from the very best individuals in the business, working on over 200 + brands and garnishing countless highly reviewed and sought after wines.
Brian has an eye for detail. He appreciates process, efficiency, safety and understanding in the workplace. And where there is a lack of any of those things.. he is convinced you can taste it in the wine. One of his many accomplishments includes placing 1st in the California Wine Tasting championship in Mendocino, California.
Brian is very passionate about wine, food, sense of place, belonging and community. He believes his knowledge can help wineries, home winemakers, enjoyers of wine and the next generation understand the process of making great wine.
Sara Hulbert
Brian Hulbert
Brian Hulbert
Sara, a Southern California native, grew up in Fallbrook, California, home of the avocado. In Fallbrook, she learned from her parents' acreage the values of working the land and sense of hometown belonging. Sara would spend her childhood summers playing in avocado groves and climbing trees, involving herself in sports and clubs within the community as well as traveling the world. Travel has always been an important part of Sara's life as she loves learning about the different cultures and noticing each place she visited resonates... home.
Sara graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, with a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a minor in Anthropology.
Professionally she has over 17 years of experience in the wine business working and building from the ground up direct-to-consumer focused wineries in California and Oregon. Sara is very passionate about wine, food (we've got a foodie here!) and a sense of place. Sara is motivated and passionate about managing and growing diverse teams as well as making a difference in the wine industry through efficiency and process.
Sara states, 'A good manager doesn't manage... they lead, they empower and they inspire. Business success is driven by the team, not just one individual. Once the team is trained, tools given, expectations of process is established, empowered and inspired... anything is possible.'
Sara has also completed UC Davis Graduate School of Management Wine Executive Program, UCLA Leadership Program, Disney's Key to Excellence Conference, WISE Academy and Level 2 WSET.
Sara leads the company’s DTC, e-Commerce, logistics, event management, inventory and production planning efforts. She also oversees the branding and relationship marketing.
Sara believes everyone's education should involve basic gardening and cooking skills. Sara hopes to make this passion for helping communities a reality in the future.