Wineries hire us to assess their business and develop successful strategies.
We then create a short term and long-range plan customized to specific needs. We help with implementation, filling the gaps, and executing the plan. Engagements can be short or for longer periods depending on the challenge and the winery’s current infrastructure. Our fees are reasonable, and the wineries’ resources are optimized at a fraction of the cost of other options. We are connected to leaders in the wine industry and can additionally recruit top talent for your ongoing needs.
Kathy started in the Wine Industry in 1995 in Chicago working for a medium sized fine wine wholesaler
Direct Import Wine Company. From 1997 to 2012, she worked for small and medium sized wineries (King Estate, Francis Coppola Presents, and Gundlach Bundschu), managing regional and national distributor networks.
From 2012 to 2018, Kathy managed distributors directly in the Pacific Northwest - first as the VP of Sales for the Estates Group (Young's Market Company - WA and OR), and then as VP-General Manager for Noble Wines, a Member of the Winebow Group (WA and OR). In these roles, Kathy worked with her sales teams, accounts, and wineries to build brands and sell more wine.
Kathy's greatest passion is to help wineries find messaging that resonates inside of the distributor, and all of the way to the consumer. Once the vision and strategic plans are laid out, sales success and distributor accountability develop organically. Every brand has its own unique identity and requires its own unique sales strategy.
Kathy Byrd
Distributor Management and Sales; Inventory Control
Ann Tucker
Direct to Consumer Sales and Organizational Structure
Ann began working in the Washington State Wine Industry in 1987 as a marketing associate for The Hogue Cellars. In 1995, she transitioned to the non profit sector in fundraising and public affairs with a focus on wine auctions. In 2003, Ann and her husband Kelly partnered with family members Chuck and Tracy Reininger who’d begun their Walla Walla Valley winery in 1997.
Following the 2008 recession, Ann initially worked in distribution at Reininger and Helix; in 2010, her focus expanded to marketing, eCommerce and DTC sales. For the past several years, Ann has served as Director of Sales & Marketing at Reininger Winery with a focus eCommerce and administration.
Ann takes a creative and high energy approach to entrepreneurial and marketing tasks and particularly enjoys working with people to enhance internal communication. Her greatest enjoyment comes from creating organizational structure to achieve objectives, bridge differences, blend team member abilities.
Kelly Tucker
Business Operating Systems
Kelly is a Lead Integrator and seasoned executive with 30-plus years of successful experience providing fiscal, strategic and operational leadership. He brings a wealth of knowledge to winery strategy, vision and mission planning, as well as domestic experience in operations, P&L oversight, multi-channel distribution and marketing involving start-up growth organizations.
Kelly is a fifth generation wheat farmer with an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University. After receiving his master's degree, he worked for 16 years as General Manager of Hogue Ranches and Controller of The Hogue Cellars in Washington State. Following the sale of The Hogue Cellars in 2002, Kelly partnered with family members Chuck and Tracy Reininger who’d begun their Walla Walla Valley winery in 1997. At this time, the Tucker and Reininger family partnership also launched a second wine brand, Helix wines.
Today, Kelly currently oversees and guides a four-family winery partnership (Reininger and Helix) toward efficiency, productivity and teamwork. As a consultant, he is especially skilled at helping wineries become more cohesive, functional and healthy by formulating a business plan and operating program.
The Team at Real Winery Solutions is ready to help you - give one of us a call and let's start a conversation.