Hello Wine World
This is my blog. Here I’ll share stories, wine and enthusiasm for a trade I have come back to time and again after never having left. I used to take comfort in knowing that I had done so many different things in terms of my career. I was a social worker, and still to this day regard my 7 year career as some of my most valued experience. I went to culinary school which really was like a rebound after a hard breakup. A flash of a culinary work-life and then the wine business. Truth be told, now I wake up and realize I have spent by far, the majority of my life in the wine business. For me, a person who loves to do so many things, I have disappointed myself. I let go of my ideal of changing the world a while ago. It’s the truth, but along the way, I found other things that mattered more- my partner, my family, my dog, my friendships. I will always love to write, cook and build stuff.
With that said, I have needed to return repeatedly to make friends with this industry even though I remind myself daily that it is not curing cancer or solving poverty. I return to the fact that wine, along with food and that experience brings people together, it enriches our lives. It piques my interest that wine is truly where science, art, sensory and history come together. It is an intellectual exercise to understand why a certain set of conditions, a terroir, in a certain year’s weather conditions , will create a certain expression in Syrah. Further, there are so many choices along the way- in the vineyard, the pruning and tending, the picking, the fermenting, the aging. It is endless, and amazing that the oldest medicine of our lives is woven in these choices- modern and ageless all together.
It has been an amazing 18 years in this industry that is in constant change. From the dedicated growers to the passionate winemakers, the tireless restaurant owners to the person who suggests and pours that wine in someone’s glass. It is a very long line of people’s efforts who bring this joy to our lives, and this is something that I always want to remember.
In gratitude to everyone along the way, I am finally admitting and committing to be part of this incredible wine industry. And very importantly, I am grateful to be a part of this. I really adore so many of the people I’ve gotten to know. I look forward to working even closer with small wineries and winemakers. I want to hear your story, understand what makes you unique, and tell your story. I want to be a person that weaves the connection and helps you share your wine as it truly is meant to be, an experience in a glass.
Onward! , with a focused intent and with true thanks,
Hilary