About HeartSmart Wine

Mission

HeartSmart is a limited-production line of fine wines created with the dual mission of being good for the heart, while contributing from the heart to worthy causes.

Because life is all about the heart.

Winemaker

Peggy started parent company, HeartSmart Wine in 2007 to celebrate healthy living and heartfelt giving.

Hi! I’m Peggy Rowan, the founder and winemaker for HeartSmart Wine.

I never set out to make wine—and my life path certainly reflects that! Actually, I’m an Arizona-born and -raised girl who grew up racing motorcycles, became one of the first women deep-sea divers in the United States Navy and then got certified as a personal trainer and spin instructor. Quite the twisted career path, huh? (How I wound up doing those things is another story altogether.) That path has taken yet another wild turn now that I’m a California-based winemaker!

Arriving at where I am today was a result of a series of “aha!” moments. The funny thing about aha moments is that you never know when they’re going to happen—but they’re most powerful when you pay attention to them and let them inspire you to action.

My first such moment came when I stumbled upon a book called “The Red Wine Diet.” How’s that for a show-stopping title?! Author Roger Corder discusses the health properties in red wine—procyanidins and other polyphenols—and how to extract them to get the most benefit. I’d always had an affinity for red wine and was fascinated by the winemaking process, so this book intrigued me.

The next “aha” happened while watching Dr. Oz on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show that featured anti-aging foods—red wine among them. He spoke specifically of the health benefits of resveratrol and other polyphenols found in red wine. With my family history of heart disease and my own health issues, I thought to myself “Why doesn’t someone create a red wine specifically for the health benefits?” Then it dawned on me that I could be that person!

That realization really hit home when I read Marianne Williamson’s book, “The Age of Miracles, Embracing the New Midlife.” She emphasizes that midlife isn’t a crisis but a rebirth, and that it’s time to accept your life and truly live it. That message spoke loud and clear to me, and started gelling with the other ahas.

My final aha moment in the journey that led me here came during another Oprah show called “The Big Give.” It was created to inspire people to give back. I’ve always had an innate desire to help others, but that day the idea resonated with me in a different way. I decided that I’d create my wine to give back as well—it would be an avenue to help others.

Suddenly, the “ahas” came together for me: I’d create a red wine that not only was extra good for your heart, but that had an altruistic component built in, too. In 2007, I started parent company HeartSmart Wine.

I went after my dream with all my might. I don’t own a vineyard (yet), but decided to research crush facilities that help individuals make wine. I discovered Crushpad, a luxury winemaking facility in San Francisco, and decided to give them a try. I met the lead consultant there named Kian, and I was immediately confident that with his help every step of the way, I’d be creating the wine of my dreams. I couldn’t have done it without him!

The result of this intense labor of love is a line of wines that is truly all about the heart—it's from the heart, for the heart, hopefully touches a few hearts and helps to change some lives for the better! 

My dream is coming true in unbelievable fashion. I encourage you to do the same for yourself. And in that spirit, I raise my glass to you, to your health and to your dreams—Salut!

Label Artist

Ann Ruth, the artist behind the HeartSmart wine labels, doesn’t let something commonly considered a “disability” or “physical challenge” hold her back from doing anything. Suffering a spinal cord injury in a gymnastics accident at the age of five that left her paralyzed from the neck down, she chose instead to lead an incredibly full life.

After earning degrees at University of Southern California and Pepperdine University, Ann worked at IBM, was a partner with Chez Melange Group, and co-owned the restaurant Annie’s Pantry in Torrance. She’s served on the boards of local organizations and foundations. Today, Ann is the manager for Five Star Legal and Compliance, a computer forensics company located in downtown Los Angeles, and is a member of the Rotary Club in Los Angeles.

One of Ann’s favorite pastimes is painting ... and she’s become quite the accomplished artist! She holds a brush between her teeth, meticulously creating incredibly detailed, beautiful imagery upon a white canvas. Her artwork—often reproduced as greeting cards, posters and postcards—includes bouquets, seascapes and animals.

Her talent is truly astounding, and I couldn’t be more proud to showcase her talent on my wine bottles. We’ve become the best of friends over the years, more like sisters, and I love her dearly!

Ann’s spectacular artwork reminds us that, if we believe strongly enough, we all can truly realize the power of our dreams! I’m proud to have Ann’s artistry on the labels of my first vintages.