Lake Geneva Sisters Launch Wine Company Vinat

By Brian Thalhammer

Local sisters Sarah and Emily Mack, the dynamic duo behind the new wine label Vinat, are shaking up the industry with their approachable and cheeky take on wine. The idea for Vinat was born during Sarah’s time in Spain while pursuing her MBA: after visiting vineyards outside of Barcelona on a rainy day, the sisters recognized an opportunity to create a wine company that strips away the “vanity” often associated with the industry. As Emily whimsically explains from the brand’s tagline, “Unlike your ex, wine shouldn’t be complicated.”

Vinat offers thoughtfully sourced European wines, accompanied by quirky labels and fun pairings, all aimed at making wine enjoyable for everyone, not just esteemed connoisseurs. Their online store, drinkvinat.com, now serves over 35 states, making it easier for wine fanatics across the country to access Vinat’s unique blends.

Drawing from their own gardening experience and their years spent in the local Linn 4-H club, the Mack sisters were inspired to explore the agricultural aspect of winemaking. “We’ve always loved gardening and agriculture,” Sarah noted. “We both competed in the Walworth County Fair for many years, showing baked goods, sewing projects, produce, Emily’s spunky golden retriever and even my cat. 4-H really sparked our interest in exploring new projects.”

Their travels through Europe further deepened the duo’s fascination for the art of winemaking. Closer to home, the pair drew on their time spent enjoying casual porch dinners with their late Aunt Denise and Uncle Harold to help shape their relaxed approach to wine. “A good wine was the one you liked best,” they fondly recall their aunt and uncle advising them.

One of Vinat’s standout qualities is its customer-centric approach. The Mack sisters put their customers first in every decision, from the selection of their wines to their branding. Vinat’s current offerings include an Extra Dry Prosecco from Veneto, Italy, and two blends from Slovenia — one white and one red. Slovenia’s wine offerings, lesser-known by U.S.-based wine enthusiasts, are a personal favorite of the sisters, and introducing these hard-to-get wines to their U.S. customers has been a delight for them.

“Very little of the wine made in Slovenia makes it to the U.S.,” Emily remarked. “It’s been really fun to introduce people to Slovenian wine and share a bit about one of our favorite European countries.”

Vinat’s wines also feature playful branding, with labels designed to be both eye-catching and fun. “We were tired of having to choose between a cute label or a good wine,” Emily explains. “Wine is fun, exciting and it brings people together — it doesn’t need to be stuffy or intimidating.”

Looking ahead, Sarah and Emily Mack hope to expand Vinat’s reach. “We would love to have our wines available around Lake Geneva in the near future,” Sarah says. “We also have plans to roll out more wine offerings, expand shipping and introduce exciting new wine tech projects to improve our customers’ experience.” Their goal is simple: to make great wine fun and accessible for everyone.

atthelake
Author: atthelake

Tags from the story
0 replies on “Lake Geneva Sisters Launch Wine Company Vinat”