While her experience in the wine industry brought Haley Wise to Guerneville, it’s safe to say that there’s much more keeping her there as food and beverage director at The River Electric resort. It’s a really cool place, with a really cool team of owners and staff. And the surrounding community of Guerneville is also now Wise’s new home, where she lives nearby at Solar Punk Farms.
How did you get into this work?
Haley Wise: I was lucky to fall into this work by making great friends in the wine industry who took me under their wing. It was the right time, the right place, and I’m very fortunate.
I found myself selling wine for a small natural wine importer and distributor called Merchants of Thirst right as doors were reopening after Covid. On my first day, I walked into Vintage Berkeley on Vine Street, and met one of my soon-to-be mentors, who offered me a job on the spot. That little shop, with its huge selection, opened the door to the never-ending rabbit hole of food and beverage—and the incredible community that comes with it.
Did you ever have an ‘aha’ moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
I have an ‘aha’ moment with every single drink I create. If I haven’t gotten to that ‘aha’ moment yet, I just keep tweaking it. I might try something 30 times, but I won’t stop until that lightbulb goes off… We had a lot of ‘aha’ moments while experimenting and crafting the cocktail list for The River Electric—it was a lot of fun.
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
Wine will always be my first love, and what I reach for when I’m at home. Choosing a wine to share with friends and family over a meal is one of the greatest joys in life. Usually, I’ll go for bubbly, like Champagne if it’s a special occasion, or sometimes something super salty and mineral-driven, like something from Sicily.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
It’s so fun getting to know the spots in Guerneville as a new resident. I love El Barrio; they have such a fun and adventurous cocktail menu. It’s truly inspiring to see something so well-crafted and elevated in a small town. Be careful of the Negronis at Rainbow Cattle Co. though—they’re usually served on the rocks in a pint glass, filled to the brim. I’m still being totally honest; at the end of the day, there is nowhere I’d rather go.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
A Campari Spritz, for sure. I would close my eyes and pretend I was in my happy place on the coast of Italy with some sardines and olives on the side.
The River Electric, 16101 Neeley Rd., Guerneville, 707.937.8915. theriverelectric.com.
