Enticing the Next Generation
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The thing about growing up with parents in the wine business is that it doesn’t seem very glamorous. Dinnertime talk about inventories, sales results, wine scores, distributor problems, financial hurdles, upcoming business trips, water rights issues, crop loads, frost protection, the cost of barrels, or personnel problems are not very enticing to a youngster. Throw on top of that the 24/7 nature of the business and endless up and down cycles, and it’s a miracle anyone ever convinces their offspring to sign on. I know, as this was how I was raised. And, it took years before my own parents finally convinced me. (Frankly, I don’t know how the European families have been doing it for all those centuries.) Flash forward to 2009 and I’m in a similar bind with my eldest. She’s an intelligent, beautiful, charming and self-assured young woman who would be quite an asset to our winery. And, she has one of the most important skills of all, the power of persuasion and negotiation. Boy, would I love to put her in front of the toughest wine buyer. “What do you mean, you already have a Zinfandel on your list?” So, for my daughter’s 16th birthday, I took her to the Screen Actors Guild Awards. It was the 9th year that our wines were featured exclusively at the SAG Awards and I figured if any wine event would entice her, this would be it. Never mind that it’s nothing like the real wine business. Never mind that it only happens once a year. This was fantasy time. And, boy did it do the trick. Suddenly, mommy's job seems pretty darn cool. Maybe even something to consider for the future? Hmmm, maybe we’ll make it to the third generation after all. There’s hope anyway. And, that’s enough to get us through a few more years, if not decades. |
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JohnLopresti said:
February 2, 2009 12:10 PM
The long tradition of the event, and its shimmering patrons seem a world apart, it's true. Back in the dust of Dry Creek Valley must seem like time is standing in place motionless.
At an acquaintance's vineyard, enology, and family history website, I found a brief tale of the winemaker's wife's family involvement over several generations in winemaking for some of the founders of CA as a state. Those early folks had to send barrels on wagons, so much slower than jetting to LA; yet, maybe there is a thread of similarity and drive in their will to develop their trade.
Kim (aka Wilma)
February 3, 2009 8:43 PM
What a wonderful account of Tom Eddy's family origins. Thanks for sharing another fascinating tidbit with us, Tom.
Gary "Iron" Chevsky said:
February 8, 2009 6:19 PM
I thought this post was very sweet. And for the record of someone who is taking a close look at the "inside" of the wine business, I think it IS very COOL -- nothing is 100% glamor, and building a successful wine business is hard work, but the people you meet make it all worth it.
Thank you for all the great Dry Creek wines!
Best regards,
Iron Chevsky (from Iron Chevsky wine blog at www.chevsky.com).
Heidi said:
February 11, 2010 1:00 PM
aww I know its a little late to post on last years post, but you guys looked amazing!!!!