Grit, Grace, and Grapes: Lessons from Amy Johnson of Muret-Gaston and Purple Star Wines

I first met Amy Johnson long before I imagined myself working in the wine industry. A friend had invited me to a casual get together at her house, a gathering around her firepit, with a mix of neighbors, winemakers, and local friends. When she mentioned that Amy and her husband Kyle, owners of Muret-Gaston and Purple Star Wines, were coming, I’ll admit I felt a little intimidated. I pictured perfectly polished “wine people” who might raise an eyebrow at someone like me who barely knew the difference between types of grapes or understood what those “tasting notes” on the back of wine labels meant.

Then rolled up Amy and Kyle, in cutoffs and T-shirts, Kyle Holding a can of beer, and I knew instantly that I could relax. My initial assessment was wrong; these were my kind of people.  And when Amy explained wine varietals to me not with jargon, but by doing her impression of a ballroom dance vs a tango, the moment we now refer to as “impromptu interpretive wine dance,” that’s when I knew we were going to become great friends. This woman is the real deal. Down-to-earth, funny, and full of wisdom.  The kind of person who makes you feel at home the moment you meet her.

The Heart Behind Two Wine Labels

Amy and Kyle founded Purple Star Wines in 2008 with a simple but powerful philosophy: wine should be something easy to enjoy, perfect for any occasion, and affordable. They wanted to create wines that bring people together. The kind of bottle you open at dinner with friends, not one that gathers dust waiting for a “special occasion.” Their grapes come from Washington’s best vineyards and are expertly crafted to highlight the best characteristics of the wine.

Amy and Kyle

But what I love most is their generosity of spirit. The Johnsons donate 15 percent of Purple Star’s proceeds to Seattle Children’s Hospital, helping families cover the cost of uncompensated medical care. For Amy and Kyle, wine is about connection, not only around the table, but also through giving back.

Their second label, Muret-Gaston Wines, tells an even deeper story. Amy and Kyle discovered that their ancestors — the Murets and Gastons — lived in neighboring villages in southern France generations ago. That serendipitous connection inspired their premium, barrel-select line of wines that blend Old World craftsmanship with New World energy. These are the wines you pour for those moments that call for something extra special.

Together, Purple Star and Muret-Gaston embody the full picture of who Amy and Kyle are: approachable and generous, yet rooted in tradition and excellence.

Wisdom from Amy: Lessons for Business and Life

When we sat down for this interview, I wanted to go beyond the wines and talk about what it’s like to be a woman running a business, managing a team, raising a family, and doing it all with humor and grace. Below are five great pillars of advice that came out of that interview:

1. Define Your Roles Clearly

Amy’s first piece of advice came quickly: “Have a clear definition of roles and support — what you’re responsible for, and what the other person is responsible for.”  Whether you’re in business with your spouse or a partner, she says, unspoken expectations lead to hurt feelings and wasted effort. “If something needs to change, sit down and talk about it intentionally.”

2. Make Time for Joy

The second lesson hit home for me: make time for what brings you joy. “Kyle and I got so deep into the winery for a while that we weren’t doing anything outside of it,” she said. “You start to lose creativity in all aspects of your life if you’re not doing something that feeds you.”

Her point wasn’t about grand gestures or expensive hobbies. “It can be a 30-minute hike with your girlfriends and a glass of wine afterward,” she laughed. “It doesn’t have to be training for a marathon.” That downtime, she explains, fuels creativity and helps her bring more energy and imagination into her work.

Have a little fun every day.

3. Own Your Presence

As a young manager in the agricultural industry, Amy often found herself in charge of people twice her age, and mostly men. Her strategy for gaining respect wasn’t to be louder or tougher, but more intentional.

“Sit up straight. Look people in the face. Acknowledge them. And if someone walks into the room, stand up,” she said. “When you stand, you’re literally on equal footing. You don’t have to demand authority; you just ease into it.”

Her advice to women leaders: confidence comes from posture, respect, and authenticity, not from trying to be someone else.

4. Practice Financial Freedom

When I asked Amy what she’s proudest of, her answer wasn’t about awards or production numbers — it was about financial independence.

“Don’t keep up with the Joneses,” she said. “If you can live simply when you’re young, it gives you flexibility later to make changes or take risks.”

She encourages young professionals to invest early, take advantage of 401 k matches, and think long term. “You’re not going to miss fifty bucks a paycheck in your twenties,” she said, “but when you’re forty, you’ll be glad you did.”

5. Build Your Council

One of my favorite parts of our conversation was about support systems. Amy talked about how, when self-doubt creeps in, she calls her friends; “You, April, whoever’s available, and we meet up and talk it out!”

She believes every woman needs what one of my former colleagues once called “a council”, a small circle of trusted women who will cheer you on, call you out, and help you see things clearly. “You don’t need yes-women,” Amy said. “You need people who’ll say, ‘Oh, hell no,’ or ‘Yes, do that.’”

Amy and one of her "round table council" friends

Grounded and Real

For all her elegance at events, Amy’s quick to laugh at how people sometimes underestimate her.

“I love getting dressed up,” she said. “Makeup, heels, the whole thing. I grew up on a dairy farm, so putting on ‘town clothes’ still feels special.”

But harvest season tells a different story. “Our tasting room is also our production facility,” she explained. “So, I’ll be there in a beanie, no makeup, covered in wine, doing punch-downs. Guests will walk in, and I’ll greet them. Sometimes they’ll say, ‘Oh, we’re just waiting for Amy’ And I’m tempted to say, ‘Me too!’ ”

She laughs it off now, but it’s a reminder that women in wine often juggle multiple roles; the public face, the business strategist, and the hands-on winemaker, all with equal dedication.

Defining Success and Legacy

When asked what success looks like today, Amy paused. “There are days when an event goes perfect and you feel on top of the world,” she said. “And other days where the same event feels like a disaster. But lately, success looks like sitting at a table with friends and family, looking around and realizing what we’ve built. This community, these relationships…that’s what matters.”

Her legacy, she hopes, will be defined by connection. “I want guests and club members to remember the paella parties, the fondue nights, the stories shared until sunset. That’s what I want to create, a community of people who come together over wine, laugh, and keep coming back.”

Why Amy’s Story Matters

I left our conversation feeling grateful not only for Amy’s friendship, but for her example of what authentic leadership looks like. She proves that success isn’t about fancy labels or follower counts; it’s about integrity, community, and staying grounded while building something meaningful.

So next time you’re looking for a place that feels welcoming and real, stop by Purple Star Winery / Muret-Gaston Wines, 56504 NE Roza Rd, Benton City. Say hi to Amy (whether she’s in heels or work boots) and taste the wines that tell her story.

And if you want to become part of their community, their wine club events are some of the best I’ve ever attended — dinners, themed nights, and gatherings that feel more like a party among friends than a formal tasting.

Here’s to friendship, good wine, and women who build community. One bottle, one laugh, and one story at a time.