I get people asking how I got started in this business on a regular basis.  I have to admit that my experience was different from many others in VA.  I worked on a small vineyard in Central New York while attending Syracuse University majoring in  Business Management.  Getting close to graduation day, I thought about what business I wanted to be in the rest of my life.  I knew that there wasn't a lot of money in the wine business but it was consistent and fun.  

    I will never forget the first visit I made to Napa Valley.  I had my good suit on, a resume in my hand and a couple of books with the names of the head winemakers.  It was late February of 1987 and it was a very humbling experience indeed.  I got lots of funny looks, some awkward moments and a question of “why are you looking for a job in CA when you live in NY?  I couldn't put myself in the other people’s shoes.  I spoke with a woman in the administration office at Chateau Montelena.  She took the time to talk to me about what it takes to break in.  She pointed out that I needed to make the commitment to live here, be here and learn as much as I could while not working in the wine business.  She helped me to lower my starting expectations and to think about what a winery would want from me.  

    So Colleen and I packed up our 2 cats and moved to CA to commit to a new life.  I was a waiter in Sonoma for 6 months while I interviewed for jobs and visited wineries.  One of the jobs I applied for advertised, “Hard work, Long Hours, Low pay…Learn the wine business from the ground up.”  That summarized the unspoken rule to breaking in.  I was finally hired to work the crush at Buena Vista.  I worked my tail off for them and told them that my goal was to land a permanent job with them even though they didn't have one available.    At the peak of harvest, we had 3 shifts of 4-7 people working around the clock to bring in and process fruit.  As the season started to wind down, the layoffs started.  I made the cut time after time but still no commitment from the company to give me a regular job.  Through the winter, I worked with the permanent cellar staff learning filtration, blending, barrel work and bottling.  Finally in the spring I was given the word that I had a regular job with benefits.  
    
The discussion in that office of Chateau Montelena has always stayed with me.  I always try to take the time with anyone that wants to do this job, or break into this industry.  This business is built around people and as we grow, we need more people.  If you are looking to get rich financially, keep looking.  If you are looking for a rewarding career with other great, caring people, talk with your local winery about opportunities.  The sales department is where most people start here on the East.  As important as winemaking is, we are small and must always sell our wines.  This builds the knowledge and commitment to the business.  Everybody wants to learn the winemaking, but the winemaker is often a different breed, especially in pioneering the VA industry.  We continue to grow, learn and import winemakers from across the world, but in the end we want to grow our own as well.  It is a commitment from each winemaker to learn more and teach what they learn.  I have figured out that I need to keep striving so I can teach the best I can.  This business is very dynamic, so moving forward is the key.  Good people, strong commitments and humble pride will keep us on the quality road.  Whether you are in a life change or just starting out, the wine industry will  make room for the right people. 

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