Champagne Wishes West Coast Peachy Exclusive Interview with Katrina Weiss Ryan, Proprietor of Westside Wine and Spirits of Jackson, Wyoming. We Are Pleased to Announce Wyoming is the Next State To Launch Star Vodka and Katrina is Launching It Exclusively at Westside Wine and Spirits!

It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and every graduate of Miss Porter's School knows that...including current Trustee Katrina Ryan!  Now Katrina and Peachy are enthused about something they would have never learned about as students at their alma mater: Star Vodka.  Katrina Ryan grew up in a wine loving family.  Her dad is a collector and her brother is an importer, but Katrina did not always want to follow in the same footsteps.  While living in New York City, she worked in Public Relations, but when she and her husband decided to move back to Wyoming and start their own family, public relations was left behind.  And we think she is onto something much greater as she is the premier tastemaker on the West Coast.  Sometimes she gives us ideas and sometimes we give her ideas.  After some brief time working in numerous boutiques, Katrina became interested in starting her own boutique: Katrina decided to manage her father's wine shop.  Having an excellent background in wine as well as a sincere, dedicated interest, Katrina jumped in to the position of manager of Westside Wine and Spirits with enthusiasm.  It was a huge learning experience and since 2008, Katrina has been managing the business, and then purchased Westside Wine from her father in 2010.  She has since traveled to many wine regions in California and hopes to travel with her brother to Europe when her kids are a bit older.

Westside Wine and Spirits is a specialty wine shop located in Jackson, Wyoming.  While they specilize in wine, they also have a large selection of beer, liquor, mixers, sepcialty items and half bottles, and most recently Star Vodka, the best luxury vodka there is, and even better because it is American.  Westside Wine and Spirits has over 500 skews of wine from around the world and a knowledgable staff to help customers find the perfect selection.  Westside Wine also cutomizes wine for events and they collaborate with the market next door to come up with daily specials.   They also have an amazing selection of champagne and scotch and have Riedel Stemware and bar glasses for sale.  Katrina Ryan chatted with Peachy Deegan about her illustrious background in spirits, wine and the latest edition to their offerings: Star Vodka.  Mover and Shaker Charles Ferri, Founder and CEO of Star Vodka, states: "In less than a year since launching the new Star Vodka bottle, I'm proud to announce that Star Vodka is available in Wyoming and most notably Jackson Hole.  I'm so excited to see our loyal star tastemakers expanding to new states!"

Peachy Deegan: When you were a student at Farmington, did you ever picture you'd be doing what you are now?

Katrina Ryan:  Never - I thought I would be working in fashion PR and living in New York City.  Definitely not living in Wyoming and in the alcohol/wine business.

How has your taste in wine and spirits evolved over the years?  I have so much more knowlege and a much better palate.  I have been exposed to so many wines and have the pleasure of tasting new things weekly.  My horizons have expanded and so have my tastes.  I like almost everything now and even if I don't LOVE something, I can appreciate it.

What are your favorite American wine regions and specific vineyards and vintages?  I love the Napa region and Oregon for Pinot Noir.  I am sort of the black sheep of my family and really do enjoy the opulent Cali wines.  My family much prefers the old school burgundy and bordeaux wines.  I particularly love Domaine Serene, Roessler, Bond, Harlan, El Molino, Forman - there are so many and not necessarily in that order.  As far as vintages go, 2008 should be awesome from Oregon and I really enjoy a 1997 Chateau Montelena.

What are your favorite International wine regions and specific vineyards and vintages?  I would have to say Burgundy and Bordeaux so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  2005 and 2006 are both stellar vintages and I tend to lean more towards the 2006 wines as they tend to be fuller bodied and fruitier - Magnien, DRC, Clos Du Tart, Anne Gros, Raphet are all amazing producers.  I am lucky to have access to many of these wines as we get an allocation being in Wyoming. 

Everyone knows that Peachy is not shy about only drinking one vodka and saying it is the best-what are the reasons you love Star Vodka?  I love the smoothness and the taste.

Do you drink Star Vodka straight? Not a big straight vodka drinker, but I would becuase Star is so smooth!

We understand Star Vodka has been doing well in sales since the initial launch recently.  What have your customers been telling you about it?  My customers love the taste and they also like the packaging and that does make a difference.

Have you made The Peachy Deegan out in Wyoming?  Not yet, but this summer, we may do a tasting and mix some of these amazing libations.

What are your favorite ways to drink Star Vodka? Up, Dirty with Olives, shaken with ice.

What else should our readers know about you? I absolutely love being in this business and it has been a great learning experience for me.  I look forward to learning more every day and we pride ourselves on customer service and getting hard to find things like DRC, Clos du Tart etc . .

How would you like to be contacted by our readers?  Our website is under construction so I would love to hear from people via e-mail at westside@wyoming.com or phone (307) 733-5038.