Naomi Rodriguez hit the ground running as the new owner of Valley Vino, picking up the intricacies of brewing wine on-premises to meet the needs of discerning customers across the Ottawa Valley.
We caught up with her for Small Business Week, as she tells myFM that they now offer over a hundred different varieties, which can be made in-store or at home using a special kit.
Rodriguez traded a job with a large company for the small town life two years ago and has nothing but good things to say about the hospitality she was shown when first starting out.
She says patience and the ability to understand customer needs have been key to keeping Valley Vino thriving and building those important relationships with her staff and clients is something that she appreciates after two years of running the show.
There’s always something interesting bubbling and brewing inside their storefront, as the wine-making process can be seen firsthand through the many plastic and glass containers lining their shelves.
Rodriguez says they’ve made everything from your standard red, white, fruit, and dessert wines to a few types out of left field, such as a peculiar gingerbread wine that wound up making a satisfying martini-style cocktail.
Valley Vino can be found on Raglan Street in downtown Renfrew and along Elgin Street West in Arnprior.
(written by Kasey Egan)