In this episode, Rashelle Newmyer is joined by winemaker extraordinaire Jennifer Warner, founder of Dagger Daisy Wines, for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to make wine from the vineyard to the bottle, and everything in between.
Jennifer shares her unconventional journey into winemaking, from a past life as a lawyer to becoming a second-year winemaker driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for the process. What began as a home cider brewing adventure during COVID quickly evolved into formal wine education, an incubator program, and ultimately the launch of her own boutique label, all without ever working under another winemaker.
This conversation dives into the side of wine most people don’t see: the farming, chemistry, fermentation, and countless decisions that shape each bottle. They explore why Jennifer chose Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir Rosé as her first releases, how making wine you genuinely love makes it easier to sell and share, and why stepping outside of Pinot Noir dominance in the Willamette Valley can be a powerful way for small producers to stand out.
Jennifer also explains how and why she sources her grapes from Oregon State University’s research vineyard, to unexpected collaborations with first-time vineyard owners, and how education, experimentation, and trust play a critical role in her winemaking philosophy. They talk harvest realities, finicky grapes, side-by-side vintage comparisons, and what it’s like to be deep in production while planning what’s next, including sparkling Sauvignon Blanc and stepping into red wines like Syrah.
Beyond the wine itself, this episode highlights the importance of community and mentorship. Jennifer opens up about how isolating entrepreneurship can feel as a one-woman operation, and how invaluable it is to lean on industry veterans, incubator mentors, winery collaborators, and Women in Wine programs for guidance, reassurance, and perspective. In a business that can feel intimidating from the outside, she shares how welcoming and generous the wine community has been.
They also talk about the realities of growing a boutique wine brand: pop-ups, farmer’s markets, social media fatigue, juggling a demanding day job, and learning to market a product you poured your heart into. Jennifer reflects on success, sustainability, distribution versus staying small, and what growth looks like when it’s intentional, not rushed.
From branding and label design done by hand in Canva, to creative uses for leftover wine, to the simple joy of watching people create memories around something she made, this episode is a candid, inspiring look at building something meaningful from scratch.
Whether you’re a wine lover, an entrepreneur, a creative thinker, or someone who’s ever said, “I’ve always wanted to do that,” this conversation will give you a deeper appreciation for what’s in your glass and the passion, patience, and people behind it.
Thank you for listening! Connect and collaborate with Realtor Rashelle on any of her social media platform pages > https://linktr.ee/RealtorRashelle
