Our Journey to Crafting Something
Deliciously Unexpected
Our Beginning
It all started in a railcar tucked along the tracks of Calistoga, in California’s Napa Valley. In 2010, Bill and Rosalie McDonough opened Crate Expectations, a small shop where wine-country travelers could pack and ship their bottles home — and maybe pick up a few souvenirs along the way.
One bright afternoon, business was slow. Then the door opened, and in stepped a dark, mysterious woman — walking backward. She turned, holding out two tiny sampling spoons filled with just a few drops of deep brown liquid.
“Taste this,” she said.
They did. One taste stopped time. Their eyes widened, and in perfect unison, Bill and Rosalie exclaimed, “We’re going to sell this!”
The question came next — “What is it?”
The answer was simple: Caramelized Balsamic Vinegar.
It was a culinary epiphany!
Resurrection & Reinvention
Years later, determined to bring their discovery back to life, Bill and Rosalie partnered with Chef Miguel Islas Cajero to develop a new, handcrafted recipe, one that captured the same depth and complexity they remembered.
What began as a simple curiosity became a full-time calling. A new name was born: Epiphany Caramelized Balsamic Vinegar — a tribute to the very moment that started it all.
Growth & Expansion
In 2016, Bill and Rosalie relocated to Salem, Oregon, where Epiphany truly took root. What started as a single product soon became a movement, their handcrafted balsamic vinegars and infused grape seed oils spreading from the Napa Valley to the Pacific Northwest.
Today, Epiphany products can be found in more than 100 retail locations across Oregon, Washington, and California, from small gourmet markets to bustling wine-country boutiques.
Meet the Owners
Bill & Rosalie
Rosalie McDonough
A warm and jovial host from a large Maltese family, she combines her love of food with over 30 years of experience in accounting and the wine industry. Her kindness and laughter make every visitor feel like a lifelong friend.
Bill McDonough
A lifelong entrepreneur with over 32 years in sales, management, and startups, brings energy and ease to every interaction. He loves witnessing the moment of “epiphany” when someone first tastes their Caramelized Balsamic Vinegar.