Ever wondered what it takes to rise through the ranks in the wine industry? In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Demergian, VP of Sales at BreakThru Beverage California, alongside Cynthia Lohr, Chief Brand Officer & Co-Owner of J. Lohr Wines, for an unfiltered conversation on sales, leadership, and breaking barriers in the wine world.

Inside This Episode:

✅ How Kristen went from PhD research to a top sales role in wine & spirits

✅ The #1 strategy for mastering cold calls & building strong relationships

✅ Why resilience and persistence matter more than ever in the wine industry

✅ The power of mentorship, women in wine leadership, and community

✅ Cynthia’s story on elevating female leadership at J. Lohr & the impact of #JLohrWomen

Whether you’re a wine lover, industry professional, or aspiring sales leader, this episode is packed with tactical insights and real-world stories you won’t want to miss!

🔗 Learn More:

J. Lohr Women Program:

https://www.jlohr.com/jlohrwomen

BreakThru Beverage Group:

https://www.breakthrubev.com/

Timestamps:

01:38 Kristen's Journey in the Alcohol Industry

02:56 Academic Achievements and Sales

04:50 Women Leadership Initiatives

05:11 The Origin of Women of the Vine and Spirits

07:00 The Impact of Women in Leadership

12:38 Cheers with J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay

15:41 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Sales

21:40 Mentorship and Career Advice

25:53 Tactical Advice for Advancing in Sales

31:56 Exploring the J. Lohr Gesture Line

35:14 Looking Ahead: Industry Challenges and Opportunities

39:47 Empowering the Next Generation

Taste along:

2023 J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chadonnay

https://www.jlohr.com/wines/2023-arroyo-vista-chardonnay

2022 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah

https://www.jlohr.com/wines/2022-syrah-syrah