Life & Work with Alexandria Rizik

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Rizik.

Hi Alexandria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I launched my wine company Poetry in a Bottle in 2020 during Covid. I’ve always been so passionate about wine and when the world suddenly shut down due to the pandemic, it gave me time to take a step back and reflect on my life and the dreams that I wanted to accomplish. As a writer and someone loved wine, I decided to combine my two passions and founded Poetry in a Bottle.

The urge for winemaking goes back generations in my family. My great-grandparents were survivors of the Armenian genocide, and my family owned a vineyard in the Caucasus Mountains that was destroyed during the massacre.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If I said everything has been smooth sailing, I’d be lying. Any successful business comes with bumps in the road. But everything I’ve gone through has made me smarter and given me the wisdom to achieve success. Most importantly, it’s all about pushing forward and not giving up. There is usually a solution if you’re willing to figure it out.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think I can speak for any small business owner when I say that launching a business in general feels like a feat in itself. To take a dream and turn it into something beyond just an idea is a lot of work, and you can face a lot of criticism and rejection.

But I’m so proud of how successful Poetry in a Bottle has become in just a short time. I’ve developed great relationships with so many restaurants and wine bars where Poetry is served, it’s such a surreal feeling to see people enjoying a product you created. I’ve also gotten Poetry in the hands of some awesome celebrities and influencers who really love the wine, which is exciting to see. This past year, both the Poetry in a Bottle red blend as well as the Sauvignon Blanc won awards! That felt huge. I’m so honored to be able to call these award-winning wines.

Not only am I proud of Poetry in a Bottle’s success, but I’ve gained so much knowledge in the world of wine, and even furthered my education in wine, and became a certified Sommelier. That was a fulfilling accomplishment.

One thing that sets Poetry in a Bottle apart from other wines is the mission behind the company. Whether a person is a wine expert or has never drank a glass of wine in their life, they can enjoy this easy-drinking wine. It’s all about the experience and enjoying yourself with good food and great company. As an Armenian, I grew up in a family that revolved around the kitchen, eating and hanging out with each other. Meals were an experience and a chance for everyone to come together. That’s what I want Poetry in a Bottle to provide to people: a memorable experience.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For anyone who has an idea that they’d love to turn into a business, my advice is do it. If the worst that happens is that you fail, then you’re in the same position you started out in, but at least you tried. No matter how far off a dream feels, you can truly accomplish anything if you dare to put yourself out there and just do it.

When I was starting out, I wish I knew there were going to be days that you feel defeated, but it’s worth it in the end. I also wish I knew the hard work of pitching people on a product when you’re completely new to the industry and you have to prove yourself to them.

Overall, I’m beyond grateful for the people who took a chance on me and my small business.

Contact Info:

• Website: poetryinabottlewine.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/poetryinabottlewine
• Facebook: facebook.com/poetryinabottlewine

Image Credits
Dmitrii Raposo-Oleinik