Capturing the flavors she grew up with along the Jersey Shore are a big part of her company's mantra. The Garden State's coastal cuisine is McAuley's favorite, both for the flavor and the memories it triggers.
So, when she became a sommelier after years at the International Culinary Center (ICC) in New York City, and still couldn't find the perfect wine for a clambake, the notion to create her own came naturally. The idea formulated in 2011 and was put into motion in 2013 shortly after Hurricane Sandy hit her hometown of Mantoloking. At that point, McAuley felt even more connected and grateful for her upbringing and strived to build a brand that was inspired by the shore itself. "Think of it as sort of the Nantucket Nectars of Mantoloking ... only alcoholic!" she said.
Now dividing her time between Napa (for production) and the Eastern seaboard (for sales), McAuley said small batch wines are a growing part of the craft food movement.
"I think the wine and beverage industry is bound to follow the 'slow food' movement, or what I like to call 'The Michael Pollen' effect," she said. "Ripe Life Wines is one of the very first 'lifestyle' wine brands to be creating small-batch craft wines. That sometimes means (a) sacrificing profit opportunities and (b) making batches of wine that are not exact replicas year-in and year-out, like you'll find from mass-produced wineries.
"But I believe in this risk whole-heartedly because I think people are starting to understand, now more than ever, that food from a mass-produced agriculture chain supply doesn't taste as good, doesn't nourish them as well, and isn't as good for the environment."
Go to www.ripelifewines.com/ for more information.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes and receive free news updates.