Clean Sips and Fresh Starts

Web site: CLICK HERE
Instagram: @mercedes.ludwig
Facebook: Mercedes Ludwig

When one door closes, another one opens—with a perfectly chilled glass of clean crafted wine waiting for you. Mercedes Ludwig's story of resilience and reinvention in the wine industry demonstrates exactly what the Spandex and Wine podcast is all about: finding balance between healthy living and life's pleasures.

After Traveling Vineyard unexpectedly closed in December 2023, Mercedes didn't waste time mourning what was lost. Instead, she channeled her passion for wine education and community into a new venture with Scout and Cellar just one month later. Her transition story resonates with anyone who's faced an unexpected ending and found the courage to begin again.

What makes Mercedes' wine journey particularly fascinating is her evolution from a 24-year-old novice who "didn't know anything about wine" to a passionate advocate for clean crafted wines. Scout and Cellar's transparent approach—providing detailed "soil to sip" reports tracing each wine's journey from vineyard to bottle—allows Mercedes to offer something most wineries can't: complete transparency about what's in your glass. Zero added sugar, no pesticides, and comprehensive nutritional information appeal to today's health-conscious wine lovers who still want to enjoy their favorite beverage without mystery ingredients.

Mercedes beautifully balances her wine business with her full-time factory job and her own wellness journey. She shares candidly about losing 40 pounds in 2020, regaining some weight, and then finding a more sustainable approach to health through simple portion control and whole foods rather than restrictive dieting. Her practical approach to wellness mirrors her wine philosophy: life is about enjoyment and balance, not deprivation.

Whether you're looking to pivot in your career, find more balance in your health journey, or simply discover cleaner wines that won't leave you feeling "funky" the next day, Mercedes' conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine inspiration. Connect with her on social media to follow her journey and explore Scout and Cellar's clean crafted wines.

Pour something in your glass that makes you happy and join us for this uplifting conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of community.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Spandex and Wine
• 3:15 Mercedes Ludwig: Wine Journey
• 5:54 Pivoting to Scout and Cellar
• 8:44 Clean Crafted Wines Explained
• 14:51 Mercedes' Health Journey
• 21:30 Episode Wrap-up and Contact Info

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello and welcome to the Spandex and Wine podcast. I'm your host, robin Hackney, and I'm so happy that you're here. This podcast is a place for conversations about balancing a healthy lifestyle and being happy more specifically, happy hour. Together we'll explore all things wellness and wine. I hope you learn a little, laugh a lot and, along the way, know you're not alone on this balanced wellness journey. Ready to jump in, pour something in your glass that makes you happy, because it's time for Spandex and Wine. Welcome back to the Spandex and Wine podcast. I'm your host, robin Hackney, and, as always, I am so glad that you are here.

Speaker 1: 0:41

And you know, lately I have been having a lot of full circle moments in both life and business, and today's episode is definitely one of those. So if you were part of Traveling Vineyard, you know how much we learned, how many connections we made and how much fun it was. So when it shut down, it was hard. But here's the thing. We can choose to focus on the disappointment. But here's the thing. We can choose to focus on the disappointment, or we can choose to celebrate everything we gained. Personally, I am still seeing how much I took away from that experience and I'm applying it to all of my businesses and it's shaped the way how I show up in all of my areas and my business today, and I'm doing my best to reach out to as many of those wine guides as I can on a one-on-one basis just to keep that connection. I feel like that's really important.

Speaker 1: 1:31

And today's guest she is someone who showed up strong from the very beginning. Mercedes Ludwig jumped into Traveling Vineyard and absolutely rocked it, and when the company closed its doors, she didn't miss a beat. She pivoted quickly and is now thriving with Scout and Cellar. We had such a great conversation about resilience, reinvention and the power of community and I can't wait for you to hear it Pour something in your glass that makes you happy. Here we go. Hey, mercedes, it's so good to see you. You are just adorable. I'm so happy that you're here on the podcast.

Speaker 2: 2:08

Oh, thank you. Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1: 2:10

Yeah Well, I love that we reconnected. That's, you know, one good thing about social media right, there's a lot of good things, but I'm happy that we reconnected and I'm excited to hear everything that you have going, and I know that you have a health journey story as well. So let's just start with a quick introduction of yourself please.

Speaker 2: 2:30

Yes, so I'm from Ohio and I do work full-time in a factory and then I run my wine business on the side, so that's always just been a side gig for me. I married my high school sweetheart, so we've been together for about 14 years total and we don't have any kids, but we do have dogs, so we're a big dog people. So those are our babies, you know.

Speaker 1: 3:00

Yeah, that's awesome. I married my high school sweetheart too, so that's. I love it when I hear those stories and hear how many years you've been together, even when people are like I don't know. So that's awesome. So I mean I remember you just being so fantastic in the wine business and the industry and I love that you continued that and I you know your content's great on social media. Would you just share with everyone what it is that you do and why you're so passionate about it?

Speaker 2: 3:29

Yes, so I am a wine consultant with a company called Scout Cellar. So we obviously met through Traveling Vineyard, which was a previous wine company that closed down. So I joined Traveling Vineyard back in like 2018. So I was actually like 24 at the time, so very young, very new to even drinking I didn't even, you know, drink wine or didn't know anything about it. So I pretty much went head in. I was like this kind of seems like a really cool idea. So what we do is in-home wine tastings and market wine. So for me it was something fun to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. So I do work again full-time in a factory, so working, you know, long hours and didn't really have any friends. So I was like this is kind of cool. I can do in-home wine tastings and, you know, socialize, meet new people and then just make some extra cash on the side. You know that's pretty cool too, yeah. So, yeah, I was with Traveling Vineyard all the way up until they closed. I think that was what 2023 in.

Speaker 1: 4:48

December.

Speaker 2: 4:49

And then you know, we were all sad and devastated when they closed and you know, I was like, well, I, with my extra time doing this wine business and you know I've grown so much knowledge and you know the fun with it of you know, meeting all the people and you know all the things. So when I, you know, some of the consultants from Traveling Vineyard joined Scout Cellar so about a month later it was january of 2024 I was like I don't know if I want to even do anything like, but I was still missing that that thing, you know. So you know, I thought about it, tossed it around and I was like you know what, screw it, I'm gonna try it. You know, might as well, yeah, what am I, what else am was like you know what, screw it, I'm going to try it. You know, might as well, yeah, what am I? What else am?

Speaker 1: 5:50

I going to lose.

Speaker 2: 5:50

You know, after going through what we went through a trail. Absolutely, you're right, yeah, yeah. So, um, I got into Scout and Cellar. They are similar. As in I still do in-home wine tastings, I market wine. It gets delivered right to your door. Uh, the huge difference with Scout and Cellar is they are clean crafted wines, so Okay, I was going to ask you about that.

Speaker 1: 6:12

Yeah, what all that meant.

Speaker 2: 6:13

So what that is is they are they even trademarked the clean crafted, you know term, so no one else can use that. But they are way more strict than what you would call certified organic. So there is zero sugar, zero added sugar. Obviously with wine, uh, as you know, wine has residual sugar. So there is some of that residual naturally occurring sugar, but there's no added and it's very, very low, you know, naturally occurring. No pesticides they do lab testing, there's all kinds of things that they do. No additives, you know.

Speaker 2: 7:04

They're very more transparent about their wines and so something they also they're provide us is what we call a soil to sip report. Oh, and so what that is is basically a detailed list of the actual farmers and the family vineyards and that's cool whole process of where it came from, uh, even when, and you know if it was picked at nighttime. You know, like the winemaking process, the fermentation, it breaks down every single process in the winemaking process of how it's made and, yeah, you can see that on our website that is so cool because I remember I had lots of people ask me at a tasting okay, what vineyard did this come from?

Speaker 1: 7:56

I'm like, well, it's just traveling vineyard, but then I couldn't give any history because I didn't have that information. So that's cool.

Speaker 2: 8:02

And then we have, like, the full nutritional label for each wine, so it tells you how many calories the carbs all of them are. Most are vegan and gluten free, so very clean, clean wines.

Speaker 1: 8:18

Oh, awesome, and I'm assuming it tastes great too.

Speaker 2: 8:21

Yes, yeah, tastes very so. So much better than other wines. And the only way that I can just describe like the quality difference is when you go to try like a mass-produced wine that it almost tastes chemically like it has like a chemical. Yeah right wines. You do not get any like weird funky aftertaste, um, and you don't really feel funky the next day like you do the other wines. I drank pretty much a full bottle of Pinot Noir last night and was just fine.

Speaker 1: 9:03

Yeah, yeah, oh, that's great, and I love that you found a new home, because when we did shut down, or they shut down, it's like when you're on a team and then all of a sudden you're done playing whatever sport it is. I mean I felt like we really were one wine guide nation and it was just so sad when all of that is gone, so I'm so happy that you have that again. Now do they have like an annual conference? What do you do for that?

Speaker 2: 9:31

Yeah, so there is an annual conference. I know this year they actually are hosting it in Chile. Oh my gosh, that's amazing. Yeah, which is nuts I'm. I've never even been out of the country before, so but I will. I didn't sign up for this uh conference just because of you know, logistics of work and um, I just felt like I almost wanted a little bit more time to like plan for such a big trip like that.

Speaker 1: 9:57

Sure.

Speaker 2: 9:59

So I'm, I'm hoping and going to plan for next year, for wherever they decide for next year, but yeah, I was, my son walked behind me.

Speaker 1: 10:18

I was in Chile with him when he was studying in Santiago for a while and he took me around us at various places. And so, yeah, when you get there, you're going to love it. It's great. Yeah, that's awesome, yeah. So then tell me about, since you so you work in the factory. You said, first of all, what kind of factory is it? And then, how do you fit that in with your other business, with your wine business?

Speaker 2: 10:37

Yeah, so the factory I work at we make aluminum cans and ends so think of your Coke cans, your Bud Light, budweiser cans and then like basically the lids that go on top. That's a whole separate process too. So it's interesting. Yeah, so it is interesting to know, like the backend on, like the manufacturing part of it, of how things are made. Um, but it it is a crazy process, um, if you look at like the machines and how they run, um, and how they run.

Speaker 2: 11:16

But I have a crazy work schedule with that it's really flip-floppy. But basically I work my business in on my days off. Even then, when I do in-home wine tastings, I really average a couple of months, so I don't overdo it, it's just here and there. Whenever you know, someone wants to post one and then, as in, like you know, I've been creating content, video content. Uh, the past few months I've been getting into that a little bit. So, just random days that I have nothing going on and I'm off of work, I might pop open a bottle of wine and make a video about it.

Speaker 2: 12:00

I love sharing wine tips and tricks because, how I said, when I got into wine I was 24, didn't know anything about wine. So I love that I can share tips and tricks that I've learned over the past seven years of you know what I've learned with others, so that's fun. I just kind of piece it in and I don't stress about it again. To me this is just a fun hobby, and then the extra money is just the extra money.

Speaker 1: 12:32

Yes, yeah, no, that's great. I was in Virginia wine country this past week with 24 women co-hosting a ladies retreat and we, you know, obviously did the winery hopping and Mercedes. One of the things that I was like, oh my gosh. This is one reason why the in-home tastings are so amazing is because, number one, you get to try a variety of different things you normally wouldn't try, but also because you get that education piece too, because at most of them, they just said here's our Chardonnay, you know our cap, here's our this, and we didn't. They poured the glasses and they walked away. I'm like I want a little information. So I feel like the in-home tastings are so much fun when it comes to learning and, you know, laughing and having a great time.

Speaker 2: 13:17

Yes, I totally agree with you because I've had that same experience that like going to other you know wineries and places that they just you know here's this and there you go. Yeah, also, what gives me so much joy is when I, you know, I start talking to these people at the very beginning of the wine tasting and I ask you know, what do you typically drink? Sweet, dry. If you don't drink wine, that's okay.

Speaker 2: 13:45

So most people are typically sweet wine drinkers or start with sweet and by the end of the tasting something switches and then they're like I am so surprised that I like this wine and it's not considered, you know what you would consider a sweet wine. Right, and that just brings me so much joy of like that I can help somebody you know get out of their comfort zone to try other wines and find something that they like.

Speaker 1: 14:18

Yes, yes, I agree, and I often said at my tastings, too, that I like it because it's not like like a jewelry party where you put a necklace on and everyone's like, oh my gosh, that looks so good. You know what you like because you're tasting it, and if you don't like it, okay, you find something else that you do like and there's going to be something for everyone. Yeah, so well, good, I think that's amazing, and I need to go look at your website and learn more about all of the wines. I know that you mentioned, too, that you kind of had your own health journey. Would you share a little bit about that?

Speaker 2: 14:51

Yes. So you know, when they say you know you get out of high school and like the college, you know 20 pounds or whatever. You know you gain some weight over time and it was one of those things that it was a gradual thing, like I am only five foot tall, so I'm very short, and just to put things into perspective first. So I'm very short, and just to put things into perspective first. So over time I just I gained a little bit of weight, not a big deal. And then it was about 2020 when I was at my heaviest and I just felt super uncomfortable with myself. You know, clothes shopping I couldn't find pants. You know I was getting trying on jeans that were size 16.

Speaker 2: 15:40

I was my heaviest at like 175, 180 and again for someone who's only five foot tall right really, really see that yeah and so I was like, okay, something's got to change. So I did get into a program. Basically you purchase their foods and then you follow their um program and then you lose the weight, which I did lose weight. I lost about 40 pounds, which was awesome, and then felt great, was like, oh, this is awesome. And then so that was back in 2020, you know I did that and then between 2020 and 2024, I gained back about 20 pounds at the 40.

Speaker 2: 16:32

So not too bad. But I was like, okay, I need to kind of reset, get my back, you know, get myself back to where I need to be before all that work just went down the drain. So it was already on my mind and my husband it was actually his idea. He's like, you know, let's get strict, let's watch what we eat. So I will say this definitely helped both of us that we were both being yes and watching what we eat and trying to lose the weight.

Speaker 2: 17:05

So we both did it together, which yeah, that helps so I mentioned I gained back 20 out of 40, and then the second time around I lost 30. Good, I'm actually even lower than what I was and I'm now at 127. Awesome, that second time around it took me about six months.

Speaker 1: 17:31

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 17:31

And that was just a strict watching what I eat. I didn't follow a specific program like I did the first time. A lot of it was just portion sizing and calorie counting. So I know a lot of people can get stressed out and overwhelmed with calorie counting. So I had a general idea of what I was taking in but I wasn't, like pen paper, specific. This is, you know this is what I'm consuming, and so that helped also with not being so like super focused on numbers wise.

Speaker 1: 18:17

Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 18:19

Letting the you letting the natural thing happen with your body, and then I also feel like people overcomplicate it. So, this time around, it was strictly just trying to eat the know, the whole foods, your vegetables, your chicken, your meats, your lean meats. Um, I was still eating, you know, and still enjoy a piece of cake, or yeah, you have to you know not. You know not too extravagant, or? Yeah just here and there when I felt like, oh, something sounded good.

Speaker 2: 19:01

So I didn't fully restrict and like, completely cut everything out yeah so, yeah, I feel like this time around just learning about being in a calorie deficit that helped and learning how that worked and that's all I really did good for you.

Speaker 1: 19:21

Yeah, you're 100% right. People do overcomplicate it and or they want that real quick fix, and there's no you know magic, one thing or this or that or an overnight. You know, that's what I've been doing for the past 23 years in the fitness industry is helping people, you know, get to get to that point to realize that and do the exact same thing that you're talking about Now. There are times that, yes, we need to get to that point to realize that and do the exact same thing that you're talking about Now. There are times that, yes, we need to get to the root cause of some issues that might be causing some of these problems, and that's what I do with my health coaching too. But, yeah, you're right, we make it too complicated. Yep, yep.

Speaker 2: 19:55

And I did want to mention I also when we talked before I do not, I don't work out, I don't do any type of like, I don't go to the gym, I don't do anything which I know I should, I know I should. But I will say, at my job, my full-time job at the factory, I am very physical, as in.

Speaker 2: 20:17

I do a lot of walking, so I do not sit at a desk. I have to clarify like I do not sit at a desk. I have to clarify like I do not sit at a desk. I'm very active. I do a lot, a lot of walking for what I do. So to me that physical activity at work helped.

Speaker 1: 20:32

Yes.

Speaker 2: 20:33

Somebody who sits at a desk for eight hours. I just wanted to clarify. You know it's not just me being strict with food, I am pretty physical at work too.

Speaker 1: 20:44

Yeah, yeah, no, I agree, I mean, sometimes we, sometimes we discount our physical activity and we should be able to count that a little bit more. But sometimes the reverse happens, Like people are like oh, I got up and I went downstairs and I changed the laundry, I get to count that as cardio. Oh gosh Well, thank you so much for sharing everything today. Now can you tell the listeners how they can find you?

Speaker 2: 21:07

Yeah, so you can just look me up on Facebook under Mercedes Ludwig. I am on TikTok also. It should be under Mercedes Ludwig and Instagram Ludwig and Instagram. I'm kind of all over social media.

Speaker 1: 21:22

Okay.

Speaker 2: 21:23

And I do have a link in my bio which takes you to a link tree. So, whether you look at my Facebook, click that link in my bio, then it could direct you to my other social media and also my Scout and Cellar website where you can order wine and have it shipped to your door.

Speaker 1: 21:42

Perfect, great Well, I'll put all those links in the show notes as well. Yeah Well, thank you so much for sharing this time.

Speaker 2: 21:49

Yeah, thanks for having me on. When you messaged me, I was like I don't know if you know, I've never done anything like this. I'm like you know, I've been all about getting out of your comfort zone the past couple years and I'm like, yeah, you know, I've been all about getting out of your comfort zone the past couple years and I'm like why not, why not do it?

Speaker 1: 22:05

and give it a shot. I love that. I love that you're pushing yourself in different ways. That's amazing. So, yeah, keep doing it. Thank you, okay, thank you.

Speaker 2: 22:14

All right, thank you.

Speaker 1: 22:15

Oh my gosh, you guys. I forgot to give you a heads up that I had to go to my son's house to do that recording and the dog was barking because the Amazon man came up to the door. So I apologize for any barking that you heard. I know it was loud. Oh poor Mo's. Oh my gosh, but wasn't that such a great conversation? I hope you found some inspiration and maybe a few ideas and a reminder that endings can lead to incredible new beginnings. And a big thank you to Mercedes for joining me and sharing her story, and thank you for spending part of your day with me here at the Spandex and Wine podcast. I hope you check out Mercedes and her links with Scout and Cellar and follow her on social media. I will put all of that in the show notes and I just appreciate your support. It means the world to me. So until next time, keep showing up, keep sipping the good stuff and keep living your happiest, healthiest life. Thank you for listening.

Speaker 1: 23:14

If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure to follow Spandex and Wine so you don't miss an episode. To do this, just go to the podcast and click subscribe or follow. Wherever you're listening, look for the plus sign or follow button. This is one of the best things that you can do for the podcast. If you'd also be willing to give a five-star review, that would be amazing and much appreciated. Lastly, please share an episode with a friend or five to keep the love going, and join the Spandex and Wine community in our private Facebook group by searching Spandex and Wine. Feel free to reach out to me at any time by emailing info at spandexandwinecom or text me at 913-392-2877. I appreciate you. Thank you.