Meet Jason Menken of The Bottle Run

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Menken.

Jason, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
While the pandemic wasn’t ideal for anyone, some things that came out of it for me personally were actually quite wonderful. In August of 2020, my partner and I purchased a cottage in the small lakeside community of Sister Lakes, Michigan. We wanted a place to get away from the city during the pandemic. Life is always better by the lake! The area was new to both of us, and we quickly fell in love with the inland lakes and the beach towns along Lake Michigan.

We spent weekends and holidays at the lake house with friends and family, exploring our surroundings. One of our friends is a devout fan of Southwest Michigan Wine Country. To be perfectly frank, my partner and I didn’t even know this wine country existed. We were complete novices! Our friend planned a couple of wine tours for us to introduce us to the wine scene. Boy, were we surprised by what was practically in our own backyard! We started making weekend day trips, wine tasting. And per our friend’s proper training, we always planned a lunch stop and packed a bag of snacks for the day of fun, frolicking in the vineyards!

The Bottle Run idea was born when my sister and her friends visited the lake house. They could not find any wine tour availability! I got a message from her: “You should do the tours! You would be great at it!” I have a robust background in luxury retail and marketing and a keen eye for details. And now I also had a burgeoning curiosity about the wine itself. The idea of creating an all-inclusive wine experience appealed to me. The Bottle Run was created to be a curated boutique wine tour experience, showcasing the best of what Southwest Michigan Wine Country has to offer! Each tour is tailored to give our customers a memorable one-of-a-kind day among the vineyards.

The Southwest Michigan wine scene is rapidly evolving. It is becoming more appealing to winemakers, who are changing the narrative of Michigan wine. And what better way to showcase that evolution than by curating tours featuring both the established and the unknown wineries? I’m excited to get involved in the industry, where the culture and region are both alive and well, with new boundaries being pushed on the regular!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
You might think the idea is simple, but there is so much more than meets the eye. Sure, some things are fun and exciting: visiting wineries, meeting winemakers, sampling wines. But there are a lot of other aspects of the business that the average person may take for granted. For instance, insurance. It is so important to have the proper insurance for our guests and our own protection. As a new business gets started, those behind-the-scenes things are vital.

It also takes time to grow the audience (hey, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!). The Bottle Run is still that new kid on the block, but we are working hard at getting our name out there. We hope to be synonymous with “quality” and “best in class” one day. We are proud of our offerings and all of the hard work that goes into each tour.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Bottle Run was established in May 2023. It aims to bring the spotlight to the Southwest Michigan wine industry through an all-inclusive curated experience. Leave all the planning and coordinating to us and prepare to be amazed at what this area has to offer! I’d say our main goal is to change your mind about Michigan wine. After all, someone changed OUR mind about it once upon a time! Maybe you know a thing or two; maybe you’re a novice. We curate the experiences to showcase the diversity of Southwest Michigan Wine Country. We also champion the small, family-owned wineries that might get overlooked by the bigger tours.

Come see for yourselves. Your day will start at a designated pick-up location of your choice. Our luxury vehicle will be stocked with snacks & non-alcoholic beverages customized to your preferences and dietary restrictions. We want to keep you well-fed and hydrated while you are enjoying your day at the vineyards! Our tours feature 3 winery stops, where you will be able to taste 4-8 wines, depending on the winery. You will be able to ask questions and learn from the knowledgeable wine consultants at each property. Lunch of your choice from our menu will be brought and set up at the second winery location, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a soft drink while taking in the vineyard vistas. We will round out the day at our third winery stop! You will spend about 1 to 1.5 hrs. at each winery for a leisurely pace. It’s a fun, full day that is filled with sips and laughs and the beauty of Michigan.

I am The Bottle Run. So, I’m dedicated to you all day. When I give a tour, my goal is to make it as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Wine is best shared with friends and people we love. It is absolutely approachable, and we all have our own palates. There are no wrong answers in wine. I can vouch for that; my own palate has changed tremendously since I started The Bottle Run! On our tours, we encourage you to wine curiously!

If you are looking to have a smaller intimate experience for 2-7 guests, it’s hard to find in the current market. A wine tour isn’t just reserved for a party bus or a huge group. A few girlfriends getting away together, or maybe even a date with your significant other, or entertaining a couple of visiting friends. Whatever tickles your fancy, we are here to create a boutique experience for you. Leave your worries at home, let us pamper you in style, and enjoy your wine tour responsibly!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Even though we are a new company in a digital world, the good ol’ “word of mouth” is still a tried-and-true way to build clientele and develop a brand. Social engagement is vital to any growing brand, especially in a culture that leans into experiential brand experiences.

Another critical piece to the foundation is connecting with the correct hospitality industry professionals: event planners, concierges, rental property managers. They can get my service in front of the right audience. Looking ahead to the holiday season, we will focus on cross-promotion as a fun way to build brand recognition and offer holiday gifting options. If you would like to get in touch, please reach out! We are happy to share information, answer questions, and even provide some marketing content! You can email, call, or message us via Facebook and Instagram.

Have questions? Let’s talk! [email protected] or 269-256-4487

Contact Info:

• Website: TheBottleRun.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btlrun/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBottleRun/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bottle-run-dowagiac