Wine’s Most Inspiring People: Mary Taylor — Building a Business with a Singular Focus

Wine Industry Advisor has expanded its Wine’s Most Inspiring People (MIP) articles into a monthly series. We will be profiling individuals from within our industry who showcase leadership, innovation, determination and inspiration — both within the industry and in society at-large. If you would like to nominate someone for MIP consideration, fill out the form here.

By Melanie Young

Mary Taylor runs one of the most successful independent, woman-owned wine import companies in the United States. Her Mary Taylor White Label portfolio of 26 European producers has reached $6 million in sales, despite a challenging market. 

Taylor established her eponymous company in 2017 after cutting her teeth working in wine auctions, in retail (both as a store manager and wine buyer) and as a distributor rep — in her words, “dragging the bag.” For a while she lived in France, studying enology at the University of Bourgogne and befriending producers. This opened her eyes to the appellation-driven wines made by local vignerons that are now the backbone of her company’s portfolio.

But she needed a plan and money. Armed with a scholarship to attend NYU Stern School of Business, she earned her MBA and took a job in banking while fine-tuning her business plan. 

“I wanted to work with individual growers in different appellations of Europe who produced regionally distinctive wines that I like to drink — crunchy and fleshy. I thought about the wines I used to buy for $10 to $12 when I did not have money. I planned to sell my AOP wines at a comparable price point,” says Taylor.

Her streamlined White Label draws your attention to three things: the Mary Taylor name, the  vigneron’s name and the appellation. Her bestsellers are Mary Taylor Anjou Blanc and Cote de Gascogne; both retail for less than $15.

Stay Lean and Scrappy

Taylor advises business owners to stay lean and efficient— and to negotiate hard. “I analyze the cost of everything and bid on logistics. I own my warehouse in Connecticut and have a full-time staff of four. I serve as the rep and face of my brand and travel state-to-state to develop strong relationships,” she says.

Possessing grit and learning to be scrappy came at an early age. Taylor grew up in a working-class Irish neighborhood near Boston and took odd jobs, including snowplow driver, retail cheese monger assistant and wine server at Boston Harbor Hotel, to support herself through school and after graduating Boston College with a degree in literature. 

New York came calling but initially not for wine. She answered a job post that landed her as the office manager for human rights activist and philanthropist, Elie Wiesel. “I was a terrible assistant, but I gained access to a rarified word of high net-worth people. Many were wine aficionados, and I learned from them, even though I still felt like an outsider.” 

She may have felt like an outsider at first, but Taylor’s gritty reserve to work hard and take on different industry jobs gained her the inside track and gave her the confidence to start her company.

Staying the Course

Like everyone in the wine trade, Taylor is confronting tariffs and rising costs. “We are establishing a warehouse in Europe and plan to build our international market. We are forced to diversify away from our great U.S. wine market right now, which is a tragedy.” 

Taylor also wants to remain independent, much like the producers she works with. “If you can preserve equity, do it. I prefer to answer to myself.”

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If you would like to nominate someone for MIP consideration, fill out the form here.

Melanie Young

Melanie Young is a certified specialist of wine and co-host/writer for The Connected Table LIVE, a global podcast featuring conversations with thought leaders in wine, food, spirits & hospitality. Her articles have appeared in Wine Industry News, Wine Enthusiast and Seven Fifty Daily. She travels frequently to report on wine regions, people and events. IG@theconnectedtable