Rose Ann Finkel
Rose Ann Finkel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1946 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | 2020-06-16 |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-establishing Merchant du Vin and Pike Brewing; co-owner of Truffles |
Rose Ann Finkel (1946–2020) was a prominent American entrepreneur known for her leadership in the craft brewing and wine import industries based in Seattle. Alongside her husband, Charles Finkel, she co-established Merchant du Vin and Pike Brewing. She was also a co-owner of the upscale market Truffles.
Early life
Born in 1946 in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas, Rose Ann completed high school in 1964. She chose to study dental hygiene due to its comparatively higher earnings potential for women at the time.
Marriage
In 1968, Rose Ann met Charles Finkel through a mutual acquaintance. Charles was employed by a New York wine import firm and hosted a Houston wine tasting where they first connected. After dating for one month, they married six months later at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel and spent their honeymoon in Mexico City. At the time of their marriage, Rose Ann earned $100 more per month than Charles and managed their finances, though she was not authorized as the sole credit card holder. The couple had two children.
Community involvement
Rose Ann contributed to the board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and served as a judge for the Slow Food Awards during the Salone del Gusto event in Turin, Italy. She co-founded Seattle’s chapter of the Slow Food movement, advocating for the use of locally sourced ingredients. As a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, she authored the beer section in Cooking with Les Dames d'Escoffier: At Home with the Women Who Shape the Way We Eat and Drink.
Her philanthropic efforts included support for Pike’s Women in Beer, an annual celebration of female-led breweries and related enterprises, with proceeds benefiting Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and Hawaiian Islands. Following her death, donations were made in her honor to organizations such as The Weizmann Institute of Science, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Planned Parenthood, The Southern Poverty Law Center, and College Success Foundation.
Professional life
Rose Ann partnered extensively with Charles Finkel in various business ventures; she contributed strategic business expertise while he concentrated on design elements. Together, they founded Bon-Vin in 1969, which specialized in importing boutique wines and promoting lesser-known vintners from the West Coast. The growth of Bon-Vin was supported by Rose Ann’s income from dental hygiene, enabling them to explore European wineries.
In 1974, Bon-Vin was acquired by Chateau Ste. Michelle. Charles assumed the role of sales and marketing director at their Woodinville winery, prompting their relocation to Seattle.
By 1977, Rose Ann and partners opened Truffles, a gourmet grocery store located in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood that offered imported and domestic beers alongside specialty foods. Truffles became one of the earliest U.S. retailers to import fresh Perigord truffles and received accolades as a leading specialty store from Time magazine.
The following year, they established Merchant du Vin (now recognized as a premier craft beer importer). Initially concentrating on wine imports, they soon became pioneers in bringing craft beers from England, Germany, and Belgium to the U.S. Their portfolio featured family-owned breweries such as Yuengling, Traquair House, Trappist Ale, and Samuel Smith. Rose Ann held roles as COO and vice president of marketing, educating restaurant proprietors on beer pairing; she is credited with naming Germany’s Ayinger Celebrator double bock.
In 1989, the Finkels launched Pike Place Brewery at 1421 Western Avenue—Seattle’s third microbrewery and one of only a few independent breweries in Washington state at that time. They moved operations to First Avenue in 1996, rebranded as Pike Brewing, and incorporated a restaurant. Rose Ann oversaw operations management, negotiations, leadership responsibilities, and supply chain logistics. Although they sold Pike Brewing in 1997, they stayed engaged with slow food initiatives. In 2006, they reacquired Pike Brewing with Rose Ann serving as vice president.
Additionally, in 1989 they purchased Liberty Malt Supply, a retail outlet catering to home winemakers and brewers.
Legacy
Rose Ann's entrepreneurial style left a profound mark on the sector, particularly serving as an inspiration for women aspiring to leadership roles. In 2020, the Puget Sound Business Journal recognized her enduring influence by awarding her the "Women of Influence in Memoriam" honor, highlighting her significant contributions to Seattle's brewery and dining industries. Earlier, in 2015, the Finkels were bestowed with the Angelo Pellegrini Award in acknowledgment of their impactful work within the food and beverage field.
Death
She died at the age of 73 on June 16, 2020, due to complications related to myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of blood cancer.