Ep. 2711 Brand Therapy: Wine Marketing & Brand Building with Laura Gabriel | Masterclass US Wine Market

Welcome to Episode 2711 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo speaks with Laura Gabriel, founder of the brand strategy consultancy Gabriel & Company and co-founder of the consumer-facing wine projects Paper Planes and The River Club, about modern wine marketing, brand building, and creating authentic connections with today's consumers. Key Learning Objectives: Lessons from Laura's entrepreneurial journey and her work across wine, hospitality, entertainment, and consumer marketing. How authenticity, accessibility, and storytelling can help wine brands connect with younger consumers. The role of packaging, branding, and visual identity in building memorable wine brands, and why Laura describes brand strategy as "brand therapy." More about the guest:  A Boston University College of Communication graduate with roots in film, TV, and music, Laura Gabriel brings a storyteller’s mindset to the wine industry. After roles at Capitol Records and Universal Pictures, she launched Paper Planes Wine Company in 2014 and went on to a brand manager role at Treasury Wine Estates before leading marketing for Quintessa and Bundschu Company, driving new product development, national launches, and brand strategy. Laura also has extensive experience bringing partnerships and cultural moments to life, from producing large-scale concerts, music festivals and events to facilitating Netflix and Food Network productions at Napa wineries.  In 2024, Laura co-founded The River Club, named one of San Francisco Chronicle’s best wineries in Napa Valley, and in 2025 founded Gabriel and Company brand strategy. Today, she consults with experience-driven hospitality brands on strategy, content, and partnerships that build community and drive growth. Connect:  Website: http://gabrielandcompany.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesemustbethegrapes/ https://www.instagram.com/paperplaneswine/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gabriel-13b36024/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is the Director of Marketing at T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a NYC-based national importer and distributor. She leads marketing strategy across a growing portfolio of global wine and spirits producers, driving brand development, trade engagement, and national visibility during a period of expansion. Previously, she was Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman & Sons, where she led marketing for key Italian wine portfolios including Gruppo Italiano Vini and Cantine Riunite. Prior to that, she served as Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, where she helped establish the firm’s Bay Area office in 2016. Juliana is widely recognized as a leading voice in wine marketing and a mentor and connector for women in the beverage alcohol industry. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!