Meet Meg Rulli

We were lucky to catch up with Meg Rulli recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

My journey into winemaking has been an unexpected path, fueled by my passion for wine that began during my college days when I studied abroad in Spain.

After immersing myself in wine studies through the WSET Certification program and being really curious about the winemaking side of the industry, I found myself at a crossroads in 2020. With no prior cellar experience, I took a bold leap of faith. I purchased a full ton—2,000 pounds—of Syrah grapes from the Yakima Valley in Washington. The goal? To create my very first vintage and, ultimately, launch my wine brand, Flipturn Cellars.

This wasn’t just a casual experiment. It was a significant financial and emotional investment, one that required me to throw myself fully into the process. I knew that by committing to this endeavor, I’d be pushing myself to give it everything I had. The higher the stakes, the harder I worked. And believe me, there were plenty of challenges and moments of self-doubt along the way.

Taking that leap was terrifying, but it forced me to confront my fears, adapt quickly, and learn from every stumble. I made mistakes—plenty of them—but each one was a lesson that brought me closer to my goal. Without that bold decision, I wouldn’t be where I am today, crafting wines I’m proud of and sharing my passion with others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Meg Rulli, the winemaker behind Flipturn Cellars and the founder of Barrel Dork, my wine education brand. Flipturn has been my outlet for crafting small-batch, minimally intervened, food-friendly wines. Each bottle I produce reflects my commitment to sourcing grapes from vineyards that practice regenerative farming.

However, wine is more than just what’s in the glass—it’s about the stories, the people, the cultures, and the shared experiences that bring it to life. That’s where Barrel Dork comes in. Barrel Dork is my wine education platform, designed to make wine fun, approachable, and inclusive. My mission is to break down the intimidating barriers around wine, offering a zero-snobbery space where both beginners and enthusiasts can learn and grow their passion for wine.

Through Barrel Dork, I offer a range of resources—weekly wine tutorials, bottle recommendations, virtual workshops, and a digest newsletter packed with insights on everything from lesser-known grape varietals to food pairing techniques. It’s all about sparking curiosity and building a community where everyone feels welcome to explore and enjoy wine at their own pace.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about expanding Barrel Dork’s offerings, including more in-depth workshops and collaborations with other wine and food creators. For Flipturn Cellars, the focus remains on crafting unique wines and engaging with my community through events and tastings.

Whether you’re enjoying a glass of Flipturn wine or attending one of my wine workshops, my goal is to create meaningful experiences that spark a fun appreciation for wine.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three key qualities have been particularly impactful in my journey: curiosity, the courage to ask questions, and taking things one day at a time.

1. Stay Curious and Keep Learning:
Wine is a vast and ever-evolving world, and adopting the mindset that there’s always more to learn has been crucial. Whether diving into new winemaking techniques, exploring different grape varietals, or deepening my understanding of vineyard practices, I’ve found that staying curious keeps me growing and improving.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions:
Much of my winemaking journey has been self-taught, but I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented winemakers in Oregon who served as invaluable mentors. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is to put ego aside and ask questions, no matter how basic and silly they might seem. The knowledge I gained by being open and inquisitive far outweighed any fear of seeming inexperienced. My mentors were eager to help me grow, and I believe most people are willing to share if you’re willing to ask.

3. Taking It One Day at a Time:
Starting down the path of winemaking was incredibly overwhelming and intimidating. There was such a steep learning curve—not just in crafting the wine itself, but also in navigating the complexities of alcohol compliance and launching my business. I quickly realized that I couldn’t possibly have all the answers upfront. I had to remind myself constantly to take a breath and tackle each challenge as it came, one day at a time. This mindset was crucial in helping me stay focused and not get bogged down by the enormity of what I was trying to accomplish. For those just starting out, know that it’s okay to not have everything figured out immediately. Trust the process, learn as you go, and remember that each step forward is progress.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always on the lookout for exciting partnerships, particularly for my Barrel Dork brand. I’m eager to connect with creators and brands who have audiences curious about diving deeper into the world of wine. Whether it’s co-hosting a workshop, swapping resources to enrich our communities, or creating engaging social media and online content, I’m open to brainstorming fun ways we can collaborate.

For example, I have an upcoming live virtual workshop for the holidays that I’m co-hosting with Matthew James Duffy, who is a Baking Professor and Professional Chef. We’re combining forces to offer a live demonstration on how to make Panettone, alongside my masterclass on pairing wines with holiday dishes and desserts. We’ve just started promoting it, and in only three days, we’ve already had 200 people sign up! This kind of partnership is a great example of how we can create valuable and engaging experiences for our audiences.

If you’re interested in collaborating, I’d love to hear from you! Reach out to me at [email protected], and let’s bounce some ideas back and forth.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

PDX Urban Wine Spring 2024-194_Original: Joshua Chang
Zane Morris_Harvest Round2-15: Zane Morris
Foot Treading Chardonnay (1): Zane Morris
Zane Morris_Harvest Round2-13 (2): Zane Morris

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