An outstanding reputation as a Southwest Michigan Wine Trail leader, an incredible portfolio of award winning wines, and a work ethic that keeps her at the forefront have aligned the stars in Nancie Oxley’s favor and produced another well-earned promotion to the role of Vice President at St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw.
The nearly 100 year old winery recently named Oxley Vice President, marking her 15th anniversary year with the company. She joined the St. Julian team as Assistant Winemaker and moved up the ranks to Head Winemaker 7 years ago in 2010. She has long been recognized as Michigan’s first female winemaker, a title she holds with great pride.
Nancie has been involved in the wine industry for the past 15 years and gained her knowledge primarily through hands-on experience in California and Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Science in Food Manufacturing Operations and double minors in Agribusiness Management and Organizational Leadership & Supervision in 2002 and earned a Master of Science degree in Food and Agribusiness Management from Purdue University-Indiana University in West Lafayette, IN, in 2010, with the MBA portion of her degree completed at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Four years ago, in 2013, Nancie was awarded the Outstanding Food Science Alumni Award from Purdue University.
Nancie tells us, “I am proud to work with the southwest Michigan grape growers to produce our award-winning wine portfolio for St. Julian.” She notes, “While our winery has been contributing to the craft beverage industry for nearly 100 years, there has been a growing interest by the state’s leaders in both the agricultural and tourism to work together to create an exciting Pure Michigan agri-tourism product. We’re honored to be a part of this exciting ‘local’ campaign as one of the long-standing heritage companies.”
The family-owned St. Julian, Michigan’s oldest and longest-operating winery, was founded in 1921. In addition to the winery in downtown Paw Paw—where they produce award-winning wines, sparkling juices, spirits and cider—St. Julian operates tasting rooms in Dundee, Frankenmuth and Union Pier.
Congratulations to a brilliant star in the wine making universe…Nancie Oxley.
