Meet Ian Smith of WineSmith Company in Grant Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Smith.

Ian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been fascinated by wine, everything about it, where it’s from, the people who make it and the stories behind it. In 1998, I walked into a wine bar in Chapel Hill, SC and was like I want to do this. My wife, girlfriend at the time and I sketched out our vision on the back of a cocktail napkin while drinking Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. Three years later we opened Vinocity, Atlanta’s premier wine bar. Over the next ten years I honed my palate, traveled to California, Washington and Oregon’s wine country to experience grape growing and winemaking first hand. I was sponsored by Trinchero Family in Napa, California to study and get my Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) accrediation. During this same time the restaurant was flourishing and was awarded “Best Place to Sip Wine” by Creative Loafing, “Best Wine List” by Atlanta Magazine, and the coveted Wine Spectators “Award of Excellence” but there was still something missing.

As the wine buyer, I bought my wine from distributors who sold me wine. They often knew a little bit about each wine they were pouring but I longed for more details, more information, more intricacies about these wines. I wanted to know the people behind the wine and more importantly the history of wine.

In 2010 an opportunity presented itself that would allow me to follow my dream. I sold the restaurant and started WineSmith Company. We are a small wine import company that specializes in Spanish, French, Italian and Portugueese wines. We also dabble in wines from obscure wine regions that are typically off the general public’s radar. We search out small family-owned boutique wineries with extraordinary stories located in unique places. We then import these wines and share them with wine drinkers all over the USA. We educate consumers on sense of place, history and the people that make this special beverage with the intention that it will not only increase their awareness but add to their enjoyment of drinking a glass of wine.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been too many struggles to tell them all. I struggled to gather the capital to open the restaurant. I struggled with people telling me I could not do it. I struggled with staff and guests at times. I struggled with my own ego. I struggled with compassion. I struggled with it all but looking back the struggles fade, the accomplishments are nothing more than plaques and certificates, without the struggle, there is no joy.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the WineSmith Company story. Tell us more about the business.
WineSmith Company is a small import company that specializes in bringing awareness to family-owned and operated wineries to the wine consumer. We take every opportunity to meet with our producers in the vineyards where the grapes are grown and in the wineries where the wine is made. We put our hands in the dirt. We eat and drink with our grape growers and winemakers and share stories of the land. We listen and learn about the history and the process that makes each winery unique. We then share this with our customer.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is the most underrated phenom there is. Whether you call it timing, opportunity, blessing or karma if you don’t have it you will not succeed. We all like to say that our success is credited to our own hard work and skill and while this is true to an extent, one cannot discount the role played by luck.

Pricing:

• 2018 Petirr8j8 Tempranillo Blend $15.99
• 2016 Chateau Rousset-Caillau Bordeaux Superior $18.99
• 2018 Anfitraio Vinho Verde $9.99
• 2016 Conde de Alicante Merlot $9.99

Contact Info:

• Website: www.winesmithco.com/shop
• Email: ian@winesmithco.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WineSmithCompany/

Image Credit:
Matt Smith

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