Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Bowsher.
Hi Taylor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our journey into the world of wine didn’t begin in a vineyard—it started with a shared curiosity and a love of places.
About seven years ago, my husband Andrew introduced me to wine in a way I hadn’t experienced before—not just as something to sip, but as something to explore. We were both trained city planners by day, drawn to how places are built and how people connect to them. But in our downtime, we found ourselves captivated by a different kind of place: the kind rooted in soil, shaped by sun and weather, and poured into a glass.
As we traveled together, we made a habit of seeking out small, family-run wineries. Each visit brought something new—a unique philosophy, a generational story, a patch of land with a soul of its own. And each time, we fell a little more in love with the world of wine—not just for the flavor, but for the feeling. The connection. The place.
We discovered we weren’t just passionate about wine. We were passionate about wines that tell a story—wines that reflect the land they come from, made by people who care deeply about their craft. Natural, low-intervention wines that skip the artificial shortcuts and instead celebrate the nuance of terroir, the rhythm of the seasons, and the hands that bring them to life.
That passion eventually brought us home with a vision: to create a place where others could experience the same magic we had. A place where wine isn’t intimidating, but inviting. Where stories are shared over glasses, and where small producers get the spotlight they deserve.
And so, Austeria Wine Boutique was born—a labor of love rooted in curiosity, connection, and a deep appreciation for place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been a fair share of obstacles—owning any small business comes with that territory. One of the biggest early challenges was construction. Our renovation ended up taking much longer than expected, and it put us nearly two years behind when we originally hoped to open. It was disheartening at times, but we pushed through, knowing what we were building was worth the wait.
Since opening, we’ve had to navigate a pretty tough market. Alcohol sales have been down across the board the last couple of years, and we’re all feeling the pressure of inflation and rising food costs. That, paired with staffing challenges and the general unpredictability of the economy, has kept us on our toes.
There’s also the reality that owning a small business—especially in a smaller town—requires constant effort. If you’re not always marketing, always creating something new, people just… don’t show up. And because we’re outside a major metro area, we’re constantly trying to find ways to bring in new faces from neighboring communities. It’s a fun challenge, but it’s definitely a hustle.
Another thing we’ve been working to overcome is the misconception that Austeria is just wine. We love wine, obviously—but we also have a full cocktail program, beer, great food, and host a variety of events. You absolutely don’t have to be a wine drinker to have a great time here. That’s something we’re still trying to help people understand.
And on a personal level, one of the biggest challenges has been managing burnout. When you own a business, especially one that’s rooted in creativity and hospitality, the work never really stops. From the moment my eyes open to the moment they close, I’m thinking about what’s next—new ideas, new events, new ways to get people in the door. It’s not just running the day-to-day—it’s constantly creating and reinventing, because if you’re not evolving, you risk becoming invisible. That pressure to always have something fresh and exciting takes a toll. Add in being a parent and juggling everything else life throws at you, and it’s hard to find space to rest, let alone be truly present outside of work. I knew owning a business would be a hustle—but I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the emotional and mental load that comes with it.
That said, we genuinely love what we’re building with Austeria. There are hard days, absolutely—but also incredibly fulfilling ones. Seeing people connect here, discover a new favorite wine, or just unwind for a night—that makes all the behind-the-scenes effort worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Austeria Wine Boutique?
Austeria Wine Boutique is a wine-forward bar, bottle shop, and tasting room nestled in historic downtown Sidney, Ohio. We specialize in small production, low-intervention wines from around the globe. Each bottle is hand-selected by us personally, so you know it is quality juice every time. In addition to our bottle shop, we also offer a full dining menu with wine, beer, cocktails, and food. Wine is available by the tasting, glass or bottle. Any wine not on the menu can be pulled off the shelf to drink, as well. We offer build-your-own wine flights where guests can choose up to 4 wines from the menu to taste and try. We also rotate out our Featured Flight every couple weeks to keep it fresh and exciting.
In addition to our everyday offerings, we also have various events throughout the months. One of our signature events is our Tasting Tuesday, which occurs on the second Tuesday of the month. This is a guided wine tasting and food pairing experience. We choose a new theme every month and curate the wine and food pairing to match. Our two upcoming themes are Mediterranean Cruise and Spanish Nights! We also have a Wine Club which offers a monthly subscription of curated wines. Members can choose to do 2 or 4 bottles a month and the club comes with some awesome perks like no corkage fee on bottles, case discounts, and invites to exclusive events like our wine club socials. It’s such a great opportunity for any wine lover out there, whether they are local or not because we can ship!
We also just launched a new wine blending lab, where guests can unleash their inner winemaker. In this hands-on experience, guests explore the art of blending. Guided by our team, they are given four unique wines to mix and experiment with by creating three trial blends, before landing on their perfect combination. Once they have crafted their signature blend, we’ll bottle it for them to take home and enjoy.
We are very much proud of what we have created and often get complements on the design and how beautiful the space is (especially the bathrooms). I know that may sound strange, but it’s true! So many times we are told that our space looks like it belongs in a big city, to which we are flattered. People are always impressed when they see our cute little patio in the back and in the winter it turns into a whole winter wonderland with igloos for guests to dine in and enjoy! We have built a solid group of returning customers, even people from out of state that make a point to stop by when they are back in town. For our small business, the support means the world to us!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
We are always engaging on social media and watching what others in our space are doing! For us and our business, it’s tied to those spaces, places, and people. When Andrew and I have time to travel and connect with passionate winemakers, it builds the story to take home and share. Stay tuned, because we are always putting the passion into our work, and the results sometimes even surprise us. Cheers!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austeriawine.com
- Instagram: @austeriawine
- Facebook: @austeriawine
- Other: Tiktok: austeriawine
