About Us

Kristy’s fun-loving, can-do attitude complements her passion for enhancing wine tasting rooms’ hospitality and guest experiences. Her love for people, education, and wine make a delightful combination.

Kristy grew up in Charlevoix, MI, where her love for the hospitality industry took root. She began as a bus girl for Whitney’s Oyster Bar at age 14. Then, working during the summers, she paid her way through college by saving her earnings by serving at nationally acclaimed Tapawingo Restaurant in Ellsworth, where she studied under Chef Stuart Brioza, Chef Harlan. “Pete” Peterson, and Master Sommelier Ron Edwards.

Kristy graduated from the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. From there, she was recruited by J. Alexander’s Restaurant Corporation. She interned in Troy, MI, and was promoted and transferred to Denver, CO. As the number one wine-selling restaurant in the corporation, her experience in Denver fueled a passion for Customer Service and Bar Management. Her love and appreciation for wine also deepened as she met many members of the wine community and winemakers from all over the country. Kristy decided to move back to her roots in Northern Michigan in 2008, taking a Tasting Room Manager position at Bowers Harbor Vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. Kristy was able to successfully juggle the many tasks of a tasting room, pouring wine in the tasting room, planning unique events such as “Dining in the Vines,” creating new products, selecting clothing and merchandise, coordinating the logistics of bottling all of the wines, managing distributor accounts, hiring and training team members, and connecting with local chefs and business owners. Kristy’s ability to work with the limited resources of a small company and develop a cohesive and motivated team resulted in significant growth and eventually led to her promotion as Director of Operations. In an industry that can be high-stress and high-turnover, Kristy developed a hardworking, fun-loving team that could assimilate change and adapt to fluctuating demands. Her positive energy translated to an upbeat atmosphere that welcomed customers and prioritized their needs, resulting in consistent year-to-year growth over her eleven-year tenure. Kristy’s desire for excellence and love for people helped make Bowers Harbor Vineyards a hospitality leader in the wine industry, created one of the most robust wine clubs in Michigan, and has made it one of the most visited tasting rooms in the Traverse City area.

Kristy has two daughters, Roxy and Macy, two dogs, Ziggy and Fin, and five chickens! She loves raising her family on the beautiful and family-friendly Old Mission Peninsula. When she isn’t working in the wine industry or tasting wine, you can find her outdoors boating or snowboarding.