In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with Brady Cloven, Executive Director for Friends of Old Town, and his guest, Heidi Hiller, owner at Murphy Beverage Company to discuss everything from wine selection to community engagement.
Heidi dives into how she took over the shop. A long-time customer herself, Heidi made a career switch from financial analysis to the wine industry after getting her sommelier certification. Over the years, Heidi cultivated a friendship with the previous owners, Charlie and JP, eventually taking over when they wanted to retire.
Heidi remarks on the stark contrast between corporate life and managing a wine shop, expressing joy over interacting with a diverse clientele. Brady chimes in, noting the community vibe, from helping customers pick perfect wines for dinners to casual but enlightening wine tastings.
What sets Murphy Beverage Company apart is its comprehensive wine selection. Heidi details how the shop scaled up its wine range while reducing domestic beers, aligning the store's offerings with both market trends and local demand. The diverse wine collection features selections from countries including Croatia, Austria, Georgia, and even unique grapes from Chile, aiming to broaden customers' palates. Janet appreciates this variety, pointing out that customers often seek wines with unique stories and backgrounds.
The conversation also ventures into lighter territories, like using popsicles in wine. Heidi and Janet share laughs about enjoying wine in unconventional ways, showcasing that wine culture doesn't need to be stuffy but can be fun and inclusive.
As the chat winds down, discussion moves to Heidi's tagging system that highlights organic, sustainable, biodynamic, low-intervention, and women-owned/women-made wines, making it easier for customers to make informed choices. Heidi also affirms they can fulfill special orders as long as they are available through local distributors.
Murphy Beverage Company's community presence extends beyond wine. They offer a range of local products like Bloody Mary mix and exotic snacks. They are located at 167 N. Loudoun Street and are open Monday through Saturday from 11am - 6pm (except Fridays during the summer when they're open til 8pm) and Sundays from 1pm til 5pm. Check out their website: https://murphybeverage.com/ and follow them on Facebook.
The second part of the discussion with Brady spans upcoming events like Rockin Independence Eve and the community-driven initiatives under the Friends of Old Town. Brady highlights the various musical and cultural events planned, encouraging people to visit regardless of weather conditions. He also touches on public art projects, including a mural initiative aimed at revitalizing the south end of the mall.
The conversation underscores the collaborative spirit in Old Town Winchester, as Janet emphasizes the importance of community involvement. Heidi and Brady both share avenues for locals to get engaged, whether through volunteering or sharing posts on social media. Visit Friends of Old Town's website: https://friendsofoldtown.org/ and social media platforms, offering readers multiple ways to get involved in community activities.
