YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Marisa Sergi-Schumann, a third-generation winemaker and Cornell University graduate, started her career at Gallo Winery in California, working with the consumer research team to develop new wine flavors. Despite enjoying her work, she pursued an entrepreneurial path, creating a wine called RedHead as a college capstone project and placing it in local stores.
In 2016, she left Gallo to build her brand, now known as Red’s, cold-calling retailers and distributors. With guidance from mentors and her industry experience, she successfully pitched the wine to Walmart, eventually expanding distribution to multiple states and other retailers, including Meijer, Target and Buc-ee’s.
Sergi-Schumann and her husband, Evan, acquired L’uva Bella Winery from her parents in 2020. She also became chief revenue officer of Brew Kettle Companies following a strategic partnership. Beyond running her businesses, she mentors entrepreneurs through Cornell and Walmart programs, sharing insights from her journey of growing a family business into a multistate operation while launching new product lines and collaborations.
Read more in George Nelson’s story HERE.