Rising Stars: Meet Modales Wines

Today we’d like to introduce you to Modales Wines. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Before we go too far, it’s best to understand what Modales means. In Spanish, Modales translates to “manners”. It’s the manners in which we treat each other at the winery, our vineyards, our practices in the cellar, our community, and ourselves each and every day. In 2014, our owners Jim & Carol Gonzalez purchased the 36-acre La Esperanza Vineyard. Just 4 miles away from La Esperanza, the 76-acre La Gracia Vineyard in which you’ll find our winery was purchased in 2016. In Spanish, La Esperanza translates to ” the hope” & La Gracia translates to “the grace”. Fast forward to summer of 2019, we opened up our tasting room doors for the first time! Shortly after opening, the severity of Covid-19 forced us to pivot into just selling wine to go. As the world slowly opened back up in 2021, we were able to continue in person tastings and visits to the tasting room. At Modales we specialize in terroir driven, minimal intervention wines crafted from the grapes we grow on our estate vineyards right in the heart of the Fennville AVA. While the beginning may have started rocky, today we’re happy to be showcasing the fruits of our labor to wine lovers all over.

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?
As mentioned before, Covid-19 wasn’t the most ideal thing to happen when we opened our doors in 2019. But like most during that time, we managed to make it work. A lot of adjusting & pivoting to getting our wines out to those in our community and around the state. While in person things were closed all over the world, it gave us the additional time to enhance the experience that everyone now gets at Modales 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My name is Jamele, and I currently am the Marketing Manager for Modales. I have a knack for connecting with others through social media. Customer experience isn’t just done in person anymore, it’s done online & it’s just as important as connecting in person. I consider myself new to the industry but have been fortunate to learn a lot in short time. During Covid, my best friend Darryl and I started a podcast called Music in the Bottle Podcast. We actually came to Fennville and interviewed Andrew Backlin who is the Winemaker at Modales. After that, I applied to work in the tasting room part time. I started working at Modales as a Tasting Room Wine Ambassador February 2021. Through a non-profit called the Roots Fund, I moved to Napa July 2021 to work harvest at Heitz Cellar. December of 2021, I came back to Michigan and accepted the role of Marketing Manager at Modales. Through another non-profit, Wine Unify, I was awarded the opportunity to take my WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Certification. I just recently took my WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Certification and can happily say that I have passed with distinction! I’m most proud of how I’ve been able to adjust and grow since Covid. The podcast allowed me to step out of my shell and do things I never would’ve. I wouldn’t be in the wine industry if it weren’t for that. When it comes to being the Marketing Manager at Modales, I made it known that me telling the story of Modales comes from a true and gritty place. I’ve worked with the company and I’ve gone to Napa to learn even more about the industry. I’ve been taking a chance on myself since diving into this industry and I’m happy that it’s taking notice. 

How do you think about luck?
As far as it goes for Modales, you could say that no matter good or bad, you just have to adjust and take what that luck gives you. If you consider Covid bad luck, we’re happy to see all of the good luck that “bad luck” has brought us. 

As far as it goes for Jamele the Marketing Manager, I was never the one to be chosen or picked for anything. It prohibited me from submitting applications or applying for scholarships. I would’ve told you I’m an unlucky person by nature. But really, whether it’s good luck or bad, you have another choice to make and as long as you know that, the luck will soon be in your favor. 

Pricing:

• Guided Tastings $15/Person
• Wine Bottles $14-$50
• Tours $50/Person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://modaleswines.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modaleswines/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modaleswines
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/modales-wines-fennville

Image Credits
Alec Arambula
Stefanie Irene