We recently connected with Deanna Ornelas and have shared our conversation below.

DeAnna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

My company name is Cosecha Wine and Mezcal. Cosecha means harvest in Spanish and was inspired by my Mexican cultural and the industry I love and make my livelihood from, the wine industry. However, it doesn’t only signify the harvest of grapes. The name represents the beginning, middle and end stages of life for a plant, vine, or agave. For me it’s also indicative to the seasons of human life. This beginning and end of life that can be both sad and celebratory is closely intertwined to the wines and Mezcals that have been enjoyed and consumed for health by humans for many years.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In 2015 I wanted to pursue my passion for wine and gain a deeper knowledge of my favorite grape, Pinot noir. I moved from Wichita, Kansas to Portland, Oregon and worked in the world-renowned Willamette Valley, which is the best place to grow Pinot noir stateside outside of Burgundy, France, home of the Pinot noir grape. This is where I received my level three certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

We have to work for a large portion of our lives, so I had the immense privilege and opportunity to actually make a living doing something I loved, which was bringing people together through food and wine in Oregon for ten years. I grew up in a community that was predominantly Hispanic. Being Mexican American it let me experience the beauty of two worlds. It allowed me to embrace both cultures in an inclusive environment, while navigating and contributing to a multicultural society. It was also especially useful when navigating both the state of Oregon and the wine industry, both of which are white male dominated. This experience shaped my values, taught me resilience and to hold true to who I am.

Cosecha is a wine and Mezcal pop-up, Latina owned and operated, proudly showcasing wines from Mexico and the BIPOC community as well as Mezcals while uncovering the rich culture and history of each. The intent is to help every wine or Mezcal drinker discover where their palate lies within the big world of beverages and meet them where they’re at in their beverage journey.

The impetus for Cosecha was to share my love of my cultural and my passion for wine and Mezcal with others. I was often having an internal battle with the types of wine clients I was serving, as a lot of them would claim to love wines and be connoisseurs, while never realizing that the first region in North America to make wine was Mexico. I wanted to change that, because information is important when it comes to representation in wine and who is allowed to tell these stories in wine history. I hope to end the gatekeeping of wine. Especially, for those who, historically, have been at the margins of the wine industry.

I hope to share my love of wine and Mezcal with others by bringing people together for pop-up tastings unique experiences and pairing dinners featuring food, wines and Mezcals from Mexico. My goal is to help you find a wine or Mezcal you will enjoy. The community can enjoy these offerings by going to my website at Cosechawinebar.com ,following along on socials @cosechawinebar to learn about my next pop-up or email me at cosechawinebar@cosechawinebar.com I’d love to hear from y’all!

I love working with chefs, travel agents wine retailers, restaurants and private groups to create a memorable experience featuring wines and Mezcals from Mexico.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways that I found to grow my clientele. It relies on genuine recommendations and referrals from satisfied customers, fostering trust and credibility among potential clients. When guests share their positive experiences about my work and business, they create an authentic connection that advertising often cannot replicate. By consistently delivering exceptional service, cultivating strong relationships, and encouraging happy clients to share their experiences, I’m able to organically expand my reach. This is an invaluable tool for sustainable growth in my small business.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch and fostering brand loyalty with clients requires consistent, personalized engagement that demonstrates value and appreciation. I communicate through newsletters, social media, and personalized emails. This keeps my brand top of mind while sharing updates, promotions, or helpful tips. Building loyalty also involves actively listening to feedback and addressing client needs to enhance their experience. I’ll offer loyalty benefits for those who are repeat customers to strengthen that connection. Lastly, remembering preferences reinforces a sense of care, turning one-time customers into lifelong advocates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cosechawinebar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosechawinebar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosechawineandmezcal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deannaornelas5686
• Other: Tick Tock
  https://www.tiktok.com/@cosechawinemezcal

Image Credits

Photos by Josh Chang @pdxploration

Logos by Meghan Wolfe of Wolfe Works Design & Strategy @wolfeworksdesign