THE BLOSSOM VINEGARS STORY

Like all of the best creation stories, the tale of Blossom Vinegars begins in a garden. In the spring of 2005, Connie Rawlings-Dritsas was sitting under a tree in her garden eating a beautiful fresh-vegetable salad, enticing except for the dressing that masked rather than enhanced the salad; a simple need for a simple solution.

A plum, she wondered. She picked one, experimented with it. Her initial goals were basic: beautiful, fresh, organic ingredients; no additives allowed, especially added sugars of any kind. By the end of that summer, Connie had made what she mistakenly thought was a lifetime supply of vinegar. It might have been, but that she gave some away. In the blink of an eye, her supply dwindled to four bottles. Friends kept coming back for more, told their friends, and joined in a chorus of “you should sell this stuff.”

Like most companies, which spring from a “Eureka” moment, at some point, a decision is made to leap from a hobby into the world of becoming a small business. Connie dared to create and share with friends and inspiration took over. Like others walking into their dream, she took the first step; she listened, read and observed; short-term goals grew into long-term goals. Many of her instincts were born out; a few needed redirection. She found the world’s most patient coach and mentor; he has been one of the biggest gifts of the adventure.

Today, Connie owns and operates Blossom Vinegars in north Portland, Oregon. Blossom Vinegars produces exceptional artisan vinegars - blueberry basil vinegar; apple jalapeno vinegar; wildflower honey vinegar – that all but sell themselves.

Connie is a regular at farmer’s market and groceries in the Portland Metro area. Her creativity and infatuation for the product remains as strong as it did on day one. Her secrets besides keeping her hand in every aspect of the business are using local and organic ingredients grown on sustainable farms, banishing additives of all kinds, continuing to experiment relentlessly, follow her intuition, taste buds, and the feedback from her delighted customers.

Blossom Vinegars commitment remains pure and true to its beautifully simple heritage. Say a fond farewell to your old ideas of vinegar, and enter the garden of earthly delights! Your palate will thank you!

Blossom’s Vinegars now have a sibling - an array just-released Dinking Vinegar Concentrates. Among the new releases: Mango-Habanero, Dark Cherry, and Loganberry-Beet.

Note about the photo’s on this website:

My gratitude to all who’ve contributed photo’s to our website!

I especially want to acknowledge - Niki Hruska, Jen Schwab and Jim Thompson - for the many photo’s you each took for this and other venues! Thank you!!