Show Notes

Birmingham wine shop Golden Age Wine has grown a lot in the last few years. But the heart of the business has not changed. In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen sits down with co-owners Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart to find out how they did it.

When Brandon and Trent were last on the podcast, it was during the pandemic. Since then, they have added a second location, Golden Age Wine Garden, on Second Avenue downtown. They launched a national wine club that now ships to 47 states. They started an importing company called Vins de Lieu, working with small French farmers to bring wines into the country that no one else can get.

Brandon and Trent talk about why they decided to scale through importing rather than open more locations. They share what they have learned from years of running pop-ups with local chefs, and why Birmingham’s small business community is so willing to show up for them. They explain why they hire for hospitality first and wine knowledge second. And they talk about how they keep both shops feeling personal even as the Birmingham wine shop has grown into a national brand.

If you own a small business and have ever asked yourself how to grow without losing what makes you special, this conversation is full of practical and honest answers.

Birmingham Wine Shop Topics Covered in This Episode

How Golden Age developed two different shops with two different communities
The downtown space they almost opened first and how they pivoted to Mountain Brook
Why they decided to scale through importing rather than opening more locations
How Vins de Lieu works with small French farmers to bring rare wines into the country
Why telling real stories matters more than copying the aesthetic
How Harper Snell, their full-time storyteller, helps Golden Age feel personal at scale
What makes a good chef pop-up at Golden Age and how to plan one
Why hiring for hospitality first works better than hiring for wine knowledge
How they train staff and give managers room to lead
The relaunched wine club and how the Benchmark tier includes a printed newspaper
How shipping to 47 states grew the national side of the business
Why wine flights at Golden Age create a party feeling every time

Connect with Golden Age Wine

Golden Age Wine is a wine shop and bar founded by Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart. The original location is in Mountain Brook Village and the second location, Golden Age Wine Garden, is on Second Avenue North downtown. They also run an importing company called Vins de Lieu and a national wine club.

Golden Age Wine website
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The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia. They are a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company. They help small businesses grow online. Contact Infomedia.

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