We had the good fortune of connecting with Misha Rafalowski & Bec Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Misha Rafalowski & Bec Adams, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

We started Cosmic Wine Club to merge our passion for astrology with our enjoyment of natural wine, creating a space where people can deepen self-understanding, connect with others, and support sustainable viticulture— which is better for our bodies and our planet alike.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We believe that what sets us apart from other wine clubs is our emphasis on the mythology and storytelling element of wine, and our deep connection to the cosmos and organic agriculture practices. We don’t aim to be somm-level experts dictating wine knowledge from on high; instead, we prefer a relatable approach, prioritizing how wine makes one feel over precise tasting notes.

For us, wine is more than a drink; it’s a conduit for shared experiences, a catalyst for magical moments, and a celebration of life in this universe. By curating wines with the cosmos in mind, we aspire to bring a newfound appreciation to the whole experience of wine through encouraging people to discover new palates as they further discover themselves.

In essence, our mission is to infuse every sip with the spirit of exploration and awe, inviting our customers to embark on a delicious cosmic journey with us.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise?

We’d definitely say we’re in the growth stage right now! But we’re super excited about that. We launched with a monthly 3 bottle subscription, and now we’re introducing gift wines which we’re super excited about. We’ve also brought on an in-house astrologer, which we believe is going to beautifully impact the overall experience.

Is it easy? HELL NO haha. But we believe it’s all going to be worth the squeeze 😉

There are continuous challenges to overcome, but we enjoy the creative problem solving! We’re a self-funded startup, bootstrapping our way through all the obstacles, and doing our best to have fun while on the rollercoaster.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Some lessons learned along the way so far include:
1) patience, persistence, and perseverance – sounds obvious, but starting anything on your own without cushy funding is a grind that you have to learn to love or you’ll burn out and quit

2) toss out perfectionism – start with something you’re proud to share with the world, but don’t let perfectionism stop you from getting started (you can upgrade along the way)

3) have FUN – being able to pause to enjoy yourself and not take everything so seriously has been necessary, especially when dealing with bureaucracy, opps, and the less creative side of work

4) purpose – we really want to spread joy with this business, to bring beautiful wine to people that support natural, organic farming practices, to take care of the world and teach people that wine doesn’t have to be a vice, but a beautiful organic creation from the planet meant to be enjoyed with love and thoughtfulness

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

We want people to know that Cosmic Wine Club is a business built with so much genuine love and passion. Our aim is to unite the potential of astrology with the joy of natural wine, fostering self-awareness and community while supporting small businesses and sustainable viticulture.

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.

“Fun” is definitely subjective, but for us it means great vibes and/or great wine, good music, and being outdoors whenever possible. When we get some combination of these things, and sometimes all of them together, we’re very, very happy.

Eat: Horses, Little Doms, Etra, Lolo Wine Bar, Love Hour, Anajak Thai, Awan (new vegan ice cream spot)

Drink: Sunset Tower, Chateau Marmont, Cafe Tristé, El Prado, Melody, Maru

Visit / Hang out:
* Hollywood Bowl / Greek / Ford: outdoor concerts
* Cinespia @Hollywood Forever Cemetery: outdoor movies
* Farmer’s Markets: Santa Monica, Silverlake, Studio City or Calabasas
* Little Dume Malibu
* Tortoise General Store
* Barnsdale Art Park – perfect for a picnic with natural wine + snacks
* Hikes: Red Rock (Topanga), Griffith (Los Feliz), Los Leones (Palisades)

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?

Definitely our incredible friends! We have an amazing network of people we’ve cultivated over the years that feel like family, and they’ve been instrumental in cheerleading us on and supporting us through this process. We cherish them.

Website: https://cosmicwineclub.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosmicwineclub/

Image Credits
Group photo is Semina (@s35mms) – wines with bag is Sophia (@sophgilligan) – zine is our photo

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.