Life & Work with Alaina Leech of Traverse City, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaina Leech

Hi Alaina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with wine began as a passionate consumer, drawn to wine as an experience and enjoying it with people I love. I started learning more while working in high-end restaurants in Denver and Aspen, CO. After moving back to Michigan, I worked at a marketing agency before becoming the Marketing Director for a local winery. This allowed me to blend two passions, leading me to co-found a marketing/hospitality consulting agency with my business partner, Kristy, specializing in wineries and restaurants. When the opportunity arose to buy a wine shop, we took the leap, and in early 2021, along with our friend Michael, we bought Lake District Wine Co. My love for wine deepened from there. For the past three years, I’ve been studying with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, eager to learn all I can about an industry that combines agriculture, history, culture, and geology. I believe in wine’s unique ability to build community, and I love that we get to create those connections in our neighborhood shop.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a business is certainly not for the faint of heart—it’s a journey filled with challenges, long hours, and constant problem-solving, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences I could have imagined. I feel immensely privileged to run my own business, and there’s so much joy in building something meaningful, watching it grow, and seeing the impact it has on our community and customers. Still, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments when I wonder how much simpler it might be to have a regular 9-5, to be able to “clock out” and leave work at work. But that’s just not the reality of being an entrepreneur; my mind is always racing with thoughts of what we can do better, how we can grow, what we might improve or change to make the business thrive.

I feel like entrepreneurship is in my blood—it drives me, challenges me, and keeps me pushing forward. At the end of the day, even with its trials, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. This business is more than just work; it’s a part of me and a reflection of my passion. I’m grateful for every opportunity it’s brought my way, and I look forward to each new step in the journey.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of the things I love most about Lake District Wine Co.—beyond the privilege of owning it with two of my best friends—is the chance to build genuine community connections every day. Working with local wineries and restaurants, planning exciting tasting events, and bringing people together over a shared love of wine and connection are some of the most fulfilling parts of what we do. Kristy has a real gift for event planning and hosting, making these collaborations even more memorable. We’ve also developed an amazing community through our Wine Club, and it’s so rewarding to hear from members about how much they enjoy being part of it. Those moments make everything we do feel incredibly worthwhile.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I’d have to say all of it—I had an incredible childhood! It was simple and full of outdoor adventures, whether I was playing sports, fishing, or catching frogs in the pond out back. Some of my best memories are from family trips up north and spending time with my cousins for birthdays and holidays. Those moments were the heart of my childhood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lakedistrictwine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakedistrictwineco/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeDistrictWineCo/