A pivotal moment in my life happened in the Burgundy region of France. At a lovely dinner in Beaune, I was chatting with Philippe Drouhin, Estates Manager of Maison Joseph Drouhin, when he asked me where I saw myself in 10 years.
I quickly answered: “I’ll be part of a great winemaking team.”
I then froze, shocked at myself. This was the first time I’d ever declared this particular dream out loud…and I’d just announced it to a member of Burgundy wine royalty.
Philippe’s initial reaction was surprise, but then he smiled, lifted his glass to me, and replied, “You’ve chosen a wonderful profession.”
Lifting my glass in turn, I toasted him — and his family’s kick-ass wines — for inspiring me to look to the future.
Exciting news, folks: A few weeks ago, winemaker Rick Moshin of Moshin Vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley asked me to do my first harvest internship with him this year — and I said yes!
From late August through October, I’ll be paid to help Moshin harvest, crush, rack and barrel their pinot noirs and other wines. I’m excited to learn about winemaking from an accomplished team…as well as how to drive a forklift.
