Hello, my name is Kendal Montgomery, and I like wine.

Born and raised among the hills of West Virginia, I first discovered wine in 2009 while living in Chile as an English teacher and journalist on the international news route. In 2012, I joined Viña Cono Sur as the only native English speaker in the communications department of a winery selling nearly 4 million cases a year worldwide. It changed my life.

Purple Mouthed came soon after. Literally, because I was sick of hearing women in the industry fret about their wine-stained mouths while the men rocked theirs without a care in the world. Also, because I wanted to make wine approachable and pair it with real life.

Since then, I’ve traveled the world to better understand wine and to help producers, importers, and retailers make their wine matter in a saturated, shifting market. I’ve worked on communications campaigns for major brands like Torres and Ruffino, helped independent winemakers like Roberto Henríquez find their path, built lasting relationships between producers and importers, and boosted Moishe Mayer’s retail sales into the millions.

I’ve drunk a lot of wine, studied it, and, most importantly, lived it from every angle. I know what works, and how to keep wine real and relevant.

The industry is changing, but I’m extremely optimistic. It’s an opening for honest wines to shine, new voices to emerge, and life to be thoroughly enjoyed.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, working wherever I need to be, and always willing to dream with you.

Cheers!