Apiece Apart Women: Michele Ouellet and Melinda Kearney

We’re moved most by stories of women who jump in deep, who grab life by the reigns and live with a sense of honesty about who they are, how they live, what they aspire to do next. One of our favorite ways to see this side of any woman is through the lens of someone who knows her intimately. Mother and daughter Michele Ouellet and Melinda Kearney’s relationship strikes that chord: more than just family, they are also business partners and founders of Lorenza Rose, a traditional winery based in St. Helena, California that focuses on an old world approach to producing dry rose. Founded in 2008, Lorenza was in many ways ahead of the rose-as-trend renaissance — Melinda spent decades working in food and wine, both as a restaurant owner and consultant. Michele, who also works as a model (maybe you’ve seen her in some of our Apiece Apart shoots, how we initially met the duo!) discovered a love of dry rose while working in Paris over a decade ago. Together they have kept their line small and thoughtful, an expression of nuance and experience. While we visited them at the peak of late summer - meets early fall harvest, we eavesdropped on a conversation between the two on speaking up, coming home, and embracing support in all ways. 

Melinda:

Michele, when did you last see yourself anew?

Michele:

I felt very anew this summer when I got engaged…I know the answer feels a bit obvious but I really was so touched by the commitment and gesture. It was so meaningful and has allowed me to release some old beliefs and come into myself in feeling both grown up and renewed. 

Melinda:

I see that. That's beautiful, Michele. I always feel like we're on a long journey toward returning to who we are. We're born in this beautiful way and then we forget and then we spend the rest of our lives trying to get back to that place. You might be rolling your eyes but I feel like it's you returning to a center where you see yourself really clearly as who you are.

What about changing ideas of womanhood — 

Michele:

In the past couple of years, I've experimented with something I like to call Year of the “Bitch" in a tongue in cheek way. YOTB! It's all about getting what you want, not automatically bending to anyone else's preferences, benefit, or expectations. It's about being assertive and expressing your opinion and being heard. Of course, there's some leeway — I don't suggest being an evil bitch as a way of being, but I have seen a huge evolution, especially when it comes to retraining myself as an ex people-pleaser.

I've found that you actually please more people by being direct and honest. That's been a huge evolution and I feel more confident in expressing myself and getting what I want and it makes me so much happier. YOTB all the way.

What about you?

Melinda:

My experience was definitely informed by my mom…she was a very shy person and over my lifetime became highly successful, and a well-respected person with a very strong, clear voice. It was amazing to watch her come into her own. 

When I became a single mom, my mindset became centered around strength and independence…but at the same time I wish I had been more open to asking for help, which is and was so hard. But as I’ve gotten older I have become softer — open to input and open to help. I'm really enjoying the ability to be soft, collaborative, and...

Michele:

And supported.

Melinda:

...and feel supported, yeah.

Michele:

In what ways do you think I'm most like you?

Melinda:

Well, it's no secret that we're related physically. People always say, "Oh, you must be her mother," which is always really fun. The way I feel like you resemble me is in your optimism. You're also the most generous person I've ever met. I think you eclipse me on that. 

We [also] share a lot of experiences. Our lives have paralleled each other in some respects and so we've been able to share advice and encouragement and some of the most tender times together. I feel like nobody sees me like you see me. Nobody's ever, or maybe I've never allowed anybody to, see me so clearly…I feel like you really pump me up. 

Michele:

I think we both bring out each other's confidence. And as partners in our business, we are constantly putting ourselves out there. Sometimes that's hard and scary. You always believe in me more than I could believe in myself, which has been such a constant. And it’s been amazing to have this collaborative outlet that exists and fluctuates between being a distraction or a must-do or an awesome way to celebrate. Sharing a business has in a way become a part of our family.

Melinda:

It's kind of like our shared child.

Michele:

Ok, ending on an easy one: thoughts on year round rose drinking? 

Melinda:

I consider it a year-round beverage. In colder months look for rose' with a little age on it, which can be served easily with roasted meats and more hearty foods. 

Michele:

Aunt Stephanie introduced us to this amazingly delicious butternut squash galette recipe which I think pairs really well with a rose in the fall. Plus a butter leaf salad with a dijon and shallot dressing. I've just wrapped up 13 years in New York, which means 13 winters in New York and it's so important to bring some uplifting liquid sunshine into those dark winter days.