We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Rodehau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Growing up in New York, I have always been torn between the seduction of big business and my deep-rooted love for music.

I got into management consulting/advisory services at the beginning of my career and have been in that space for a while. My background is working from a commercial perspective with F500 enterprises in Tech, CPG, Telecommunications, and Financial Services. I’ve partnered with C-suite executives throughout the globe to translate business ambition into a compelling vision to manage risk and accelerate transformation. Over the years, I have had the good fortune of working with some of the brightest consultants and analysts in the industry.

Monarch was created to pursue my passion and dedication to the arts.

Music cast a spell on me at an early age and has had my heart ever since. One of my favorite memories is of my mom driving me to pre-school in our Jeep blasting The Cure’s ‘Mixed Up’ album. We would listen to the extended mix of her favorite song, ‘Fascination Street’ and mine, ‘Lovesong’, nonstop.

I always wanted to do something in music but wasn’t sure where I could fit. I used to take singing and piano lessons but knew that wasn’t my calling. There was nothing and is nothing that can compare to the feeling I get when I hear something beautiful. My heart and soul feel it to the core. It’s been a natural progression for me to want to work with artists.

Monarch Collective was created as a lifestyle brand for the arts with a primary focus on wine and music. My company at large is a tribute to my late aunt who introduced me to wine and was also a huge music enthusiast. Two of the most beautiful forms of art.

We feature a lifestyle publication, Monarch Wine, create strategic partnerships in creative entertainment and the luxury sector for elevated experiences integrating an ecosystem of premium wine brands and musicians as well as having our own symphony in development, Varietal Vibes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Monarch is dedicated to artistic excellence and you can think of the company as the gateway drug into some of the most beautiful forms of art. The vision is an integration of wine, music, film, and design.

Our passionate team of sommeliers, writers, and musicians break down the barriers of sound and flavor fostering a community of artisans, wine lovers, and creatives.

The project I am most excited about is Varietal Vibes which will be an annual symphonic concert series that celebrates the artistry behind fine wine and music all over the world. The idea is simple; big music paired with big wine. Volume 1 will feature orchestral arrangements of hip-hop and rock-inspired music taking place in Los Angeles. This will be a sexy, black-tie evening for the books.

From a storytelling perspective, we want to incorporate Icons of the Culture and emerging artists to focus on the duality that exists within wine and music. Prestigious fine wine producers mixed with upcoming rising brands, musical idols mixed with new blood artists. The duality that ultimately leads to unity and to what I deem the crux of humanity… love. This project is near and dear to my heart and I want people to feel the intimate vibration from the instruments on stage, traveling through their glass of wine in hand and landing in their hearts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d first see what time of the year it was. If it’s March or August, A&R Worldwide’s MUSEXPO and Hollyshorts Oscar Qualifying Film Festival are an absolute must!

In terms of where to eat, drink and stay, my playbook is:

Merois, rooftop of Pendry West Hollywood for a stunning view of Los Angeles serving Japanese, Southeast Asian, French and California fare. I have a lot of my creative team dinners here and always order the Crispy Rice Crab Salad and Shanghai Lobster. Ending with the Dark Chocolate Soufflé will not disappoint. Shoutout to Mike Macias and Allan Camarena for their continued warm hospitality and for always steering me right for delicious wine pairings.

Juliet, located in the heart of Los Angeles features hundreds of hand-selected wines from regions across France. I recently enjoyed the Duck Confit Cigars and Grilled Lamb Chops. Shoutout to the General Manager, Charlie Phillips, who is guaranteed to ensure you have a wonderful and memorable guest experience. He also is an incredibly talented musician.

Spago Beverly Hills, Wolfgang’s flagship restaurant known for serving California cuisine never disappoints. The entire staff is absolutely brilliant and always provides an elevated culinary journey. Shoutout to Eric Denq, you wine rockstar!

Oceana Santa Monica is a suites-only boutique hotel with gorgeous views of the ocean. I have beautiful memories with my creative team having so many dinners here and cocktails on the sunset terrace. Shoutout to Victoria, Garland, Mario, Chamron, and Cesar for always making my trips magical.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, 5-star service, excellence in hospitality, and elegance from inside and out. This hotel celebrates luxury through the lens of an elevated residential-style experience. Shoutout to Sarah, Eric, Sam, Aldo, Scott, and the rest of the amazing staff for always demonstrating what true world-class service is.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The list is long. I am most grateful for my parents, late nana, and late aunt who have always given me unconditional love, support, and guidance.

I’d like to extend a warm shoutout to some of the composers who have inspired me to dream big; Nicholas Britell, Max Richter, Justin Hurwitz, Ludovico Einaudi, JIMEK, and Ludwig Goransson. Your music’s dual tonality, complex layers, and stretch of genres have ignited a fire in me to create something remarkable that has no boundaries.

A very special shoutout to prolific composer, and producer, Colin Wolfe and film score composer, and electronic music producer, Andy Favre, the two artists who are spearheading Monarch’s largest endeavor, the Varietal Vibes Symphony.

Last but not least, lots of love to the three people who have been with me since Monarch’s inception; Athan Slotkin, Connor Lagman, and Kevin Chesley. Thank you for your patience, creativity, and for believing in me. I’m excited for our next chapter with the business- to the moon and back!

Website: https://monarch.wine/

Instagram: @mimibeatz

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