Montana Rae

Montana's love of fine wine began at a young age, growing up in a wine-loving family in Colorado. As a child, she would ask her father for a taste from his glass. He would point her to the massive atlas in their home and tell her, "If you can find the place this wine comes from, you can have a sip." Before long, Montana was more than proficient at navigating the giant book, and the journey through the world of wine has continued since.

Her career began officially as a salesperson serving one of Colorado's great boutique distribution houses, Maverick Wine Company. With time, Montana's background in marketing and design earned her the role of Director of Marketing, a position she held for eight years. 

During her tenure in distribution, Montana learned the business of wine. She touched every aspect of the industry, from sales and marketing to importing, brand development, production, and more. She led a talented team of wine professionals, creating innovative solutions for sharing the stories behind the portfolio in Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and Washington.

Beyond the business aspects, Montana's education in fine wine expanded. She was blessed to work alongside Master Sommelier Doug Krenik, who mentored her and assisted her in preparing to take on the Court of Master Sommelier's Certified Sommelier examination, a distinction she earned in 2019 under the watchful eye of her exam proctor, the famed Master Sommelier Fred Dame.

In 2021, Montana committed to the launch of her business, The Wine Ship. The Wine Ship began in 2014 as a platform for Montana to share her love of wine through her blog and social media channels. Over time, the desire to bring a unique approach to teaching and sharing wine became paramount.

The Wine Ship was founded with a mission of introducing great wine to consumers and presenting it in a way that's accessible, fun, and educational.

Over the years, Montana has continued to study wine. The more she learns, the more in love she falls with the world of fine wine. Montana is eager to serve, and she invites you to dive deeper into the world of wine through the services provided by The Wine Ship Cru.