Life & Work with Drew Bentley of Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Bentley.

Hi Drew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was 21, my dad took me on a birthday trip that changed my life.
We spent two unforgettable weeks traveling through Michigan’s wine country—starting in Petoskey, winding our way through Traverse City, and following the Lake Michigan coast all the way south. What began as a fun father-son adventure quickly turned into something much deeper. I didn’t just fall in love with the wine—I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the rich history behind Michigan’s wine industry.
When I got back home, my friends encouraged me to branch out and try wines from around the world. They insisted that California, France, and Italy produced far better wines than anything from Michigan. So, I did what any curious young wine lover would do—I tasted everything I could get my hands on. But the more I explored, the more I kept coming back to one undeniable truth: the wines we make here in Michigan are every bit as good—if not better—than those from anywhere else.
That realization lit a fire in me. I dove headfirst into the world of wine, eventually earning my sommelier certification and dedicating myself to sharing Michigan’s story. Today, it’s my passion and my purpose to show the world that Michigan truly makes world-class wine.

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?
Execution is always the hardest part of any dream.
Turning a passion into reality is never a straight road—it’s full of potholes, detours, and unexpected roadblocks. What separates a dreamer from a true entrepreneur is the ability to adapt, persevere, and keep moving forward no matter what stands in the way.
In the years leading up to our grand opening, we faced our fair share of challenges—everything from COVID and inflation to contractor delays and permitting issues. But through it all, we refused to get discouraged. Every obstacle became another lesson, another story of persistence, and another victory to look back on with pride.
At the end of the day, each challenge you overcome isn’t just a setback avoided—it’s another success story waiting to be told.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My professional journey began when I was just 14 years old, working for the Youth Conservation Corps at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. That first job reinforced the lessons my parents had always taught me: never back down, work harder than everyone around you, and never complain about hard work. They used to say that if I lived by those principles, I’d never be without a job.
George Washington Carver once said, “Do common things uncommonly well and your dinner pail will never be empty.” That quote became a cornerstone of my work ethic. Over the years, I held a variety of jobs, but I always brought the same energy, discipline, and enthusiasm to everything I did.
Once I was old enough, I went to college and earned my paramedic certification. I spent seven years working as a medic—a career that taught me resilience and compassion—but I eventually realized it wasn’t the lifelong path I was meant to follow. During that time, my passion for wine was quietly growing into something much bigger.
After leaving EMS, I took a leap of faith and opened the Michigan Wine and Beer Portal—a business built around my dream of proving that Michigan truly makes world-class wine. That passion has since evolved into a family of ventures I’m deeply proud of, including:
The River Raisin Trading Post, a full-service coffee shop and boutique gift shop
The River Raisin Banquet Center, a full-service banquet facility
Bentley Sommelier Services, providing wine catering for events of all kinds
Portal Holdings, a property holding company
Life as an entrepreneur is never boring—but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every day brings new challenges, new opportunities, and another chance to chase the dream that started all those years ago with a shovel, a strong work ethic, and a vision of something greater.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Never give up.
No matter what you do in life, there will always be hurdles. Whether you’re flipping burgers, climbing the corporate ladder, or running your own business—there’s no such thing as a perfect day. Every path comes with its own challenges, setbacks, and lessons.
My dad used to tell me, “If you find something you love doing, you’ll never work a day in your life.” For years, I worked just for a paycheck, chasing stability instead of fulfillment. But over time, I discovered what it truly means to love what you do. Today, I get to wake up every morning and pour my heart into something I’m passionate about.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I still work seven days a week, often twelve hours or more. But it doesn’t feel like work, because I’m doing what I love. That makes all the difference.
If you commit to never giving up—if you push through the hard days and stay true to your passion—you’ll eventually find that same balance: something that not only pays the bills, but also fills your soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michiganwineandbeerportal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miwineandbeerportal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michiganwineandbeerportal