As mentioned in the previous article, this is a story of two parts, and what we are going to tell now is the micro transformation, the one where Bona Fide comes in as a personal “revolution” in our founders’ own careers.
Meet the Robbins, two revolutionary birds
Bona Fide’s story is totally connected with its founders’ journey, Max and Theresa Robbins. They met while attending The Culinary Institute of America and have worked together in 3-Star Michelin level fine dining restaurants in New York and Napa Valley for the past ten years. Max has always been in the kitchen working as a chef, and Theresa has always been in the dining room working with service, as a captain and later as a wine professional with Sommelier certification. They put their blood, sweat, tears and time into mastering their craft under these establishments, what gave them incomparable experience and knowledge in the industry.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the entire restaurant sector suffered a enormous crises, it opened their eyes to a bigger picture, one to rethink the trajectory of their lives and careers. A chance that we all had, actually, evaluating ourselves and our surroundings. For them it was time to stop and think about what they really wanted to do with their lives. Coming to a conclusion that they would have to evolve, reinvent and revolutionize their thinking when it came to their future, asking: what can we build that will be ours and have a profound meaning for us?
All that incredible and valuable experience built up over the yers could now be used in a different direction, one to create something unique, special and meaningful, not only to them but also to others.
The birds spread their wings
After a few months of quarantine in New York they decided it was time to breathe some fresh air and open their minds a little more, so they drove to Theresa’s family’s farm in Ohio.
The Rice family (Theresa’s family) has owned the farm and the land for 4 generations. For several decades there was a 12-acre orchard that produced apples and peaches, but it was neglected and was then overgrown and in need of revitalization. Hearing about the family history from Theresa’s parents, seeing the property, and thinking about what would happen to this land once it was passed down to her, many thoughts went through Theresa’s head:
I love the beverage industry: wine, spirits and the culture of bartenders, somms and bars. I romanticize wine families who live on legacy land from the Old World and the legacy they have handed down to them. Living in Napa for many years and visiting and working with so many small family-owned vineyards, I really fell in love with the culture and lifestyle.
Theresa Robbins
The birds find their nest
Changing environments brought to Max and Theresa a whole new perspective. One day, she told him that if she could honestly do anything she would like to resurrect the orchard on the farm, craft something special from the land and live a simple life and be happy. To her surprise he was immediately on board. They talked to the family and they too were excited by the idea. From that day forward they started researching and building the business plan.
That’s how Bona Fide was born. A beautiful outcome from an unexpected turbulence. It will grow and flourish as the new orchard, the new Robbins and the new world post-pandemic.