The Grapevine Features Crystalyn Hackett – A Women’s Empowerment Story

The Grapevine Features Crystalyn Hackett – A Women’s Empowerment Story

We’re honored to share that Spicy Vines founder Crystalyn Hackett has been featured in The Grapevine, a respected industry publication by OrderPort, for her bold and unconventional journey in the wine industry.

The feature — Spicy Vines: A Woman’s Empowerment Story — tells Crystalyn’s path from a mid-twenty-something with no vineyard, no deep pockets, and no “traditional” wine background, to building one of the most unique boutique wineries in Healdsburg, California.

Read the full article here:

Breaking the Mold

When someone once asked Crystalyn if you had to be “old and rich” to start a winery, her answer was simple: “Perhaps… or you’ve just got to be young and tenacious.”

It’s that fearless mindset that led her to launch Spicy Vines in 2011, inspired by old-world wines she had discovered while living and traveling abroad in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France — and by her desire to create a winery that was approachable, down-to-earth, and unapologetically fun.

Unable to find the “perfect wine vibe” she was looking for, Crystalyn decided to create it herself — becoming the first in the U.S. to introduce a spiced wine brand to the market.

A Place Where Magic Happens

From the moment you step into Spicy Vines’ downtown Healdsburg tasting room, you feel like part of the family. It’s a space filled with warmth, conversation, and a touch of the unexpected — like a guest pulling a guitar off the wall for an impromptu Beatles cover while you sip your flight.

It’s more than wine tasting. It’s an experience. One where every glass, every conversation, and every note of music weaves together to create something truly memorable.

Lessons in Grit and Grace

Crystalyn’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Navigating a male-dominated industry as a young woman required resilience, adaptability, and intuition — qualities she believes every woman possesses and should trust more often.

Her message to women considering their own business venture: Go for it. No matter your age, background, or resources, your industry needs your perspective and your positive change.