About me . . .

Kim_on_porch.jpg

First of all, my name is NOT Wilma. It's Kim Stare Wallace.  Wilma is what my husband nicknamed me over 25 years ago and somehow it just stuck. Not the sexiest of names, but one that has made us both chuckle from time to time. (I always thought it should be Candy or Cherry or somethingÂ…) Back then, life was pretty simple. Fast forward 25 years and, well, things have changed.

 

Today, I live a pretty complex life. I'm a second generation winery owner, business woman, wife, mom, daughter, sister, boss, confidante and personal chauffeur to my two kids ages 10 and 15. I literally grew up in the Sonoma County wine industry and have spent the last 23 years of my professional life working for our family winery, Dry Creek Vineyard. I've held just about every job imaginable--from the office to the cellar, but figured out long ago that I was a lot better at the marketing side of the business than the winemaking. (Thank goodness for our wines too!) Currently I serve as Vice President working side by side with my husband running the daily operations of our 35 year old business. Our dream is to pass on the business to the third generation without going crazy or getting a divorce in the process. Not an easy feat if you look at the statistics today. But, we're a special team and ours is a unique story that I look forward to sharing with you.

welcome!

This is a blog about what it's really like to be in the wine industry...so sit back, take a sip and enjoy!

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favorite posts

A Lifetime in Wine

Top 10 Traits of the Successful Family Winery

The Dreaded Family Meeting

Board Meeting Jitters

Is the Future of the Winery in Danger?

The Case of the Overweight Bottle

Wine and Dementia

Wanted: Talented (Normal) Individual for Family Owned Winery

A Sea of Wine

The Heroes of Our Industry


monthly archives


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Hopes & Dreams

Owning a Coastal Cottage

Sailing for 6 Months

Getting a 100 Point Score

Favorite Haunts

Coast of Maine

Dry Creek General Store

Dry Creek Kitchen

Healdsburg Bar & Grill

Spoonbar

Sonoma Country Antiques

Baci Cafe & Wine Bar

The Farmhouse

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

Bad Ass Coffee

Bistro Ralph

Bits of Press

Food & Wine Magazine

The Wine News

Wine Enthusiast

Wine Spectator

Press Democrat

Sunset Magazine

Connoisseurs' Guide

Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences

Cruising World Magazine

Oprah Magazine

The Washington Post

Coastal Living Magazine

Wine & Spirits Magazine

People Magazine

SAG Awards Magazine

Forbes Magazine

Favorite Magazines

Coastal Living

Down East

Sunset

Country Living

Quarterly Review of Wines

Wines & Vines

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

California Grapevine

Connoisseurs' Guide

Practical Winery & Vineyard

WineReviewOnline

Vineyard & Winery Mgmt

Blog Buddy List

Fermentation

Hip Tastes

Pinot Blogger

All The Best

Julia Flynn Siler

Vinography

Winery Web Site Report

The Pour - Eric Asimov

Dr Vino

Steve Heimoff

Start Up Ladies

Good Wine Under $20

Blind Muscat

The Wineroad Blog

Gabe's View

Wine Peeps

Vici Vino

Cellarmistress' Cellar Talk

Uncork Life

WineVine-Imports Blog

The Wine Witch

SOURMASHED


Honorable Mentions

Fermentation
Wilma Hits The World of Blogs
Most Intriguing New Wine Blogs of 2008
Midwest Wine Guy
Winery of the Month
Julia Flynn Siler
Meritage wines - and a fascinating glimpse into family business
Winery Web Site Report
New Winery Blog: Wilma's Wine World
Start Up Ladies
Insider's View of Family Owned Dry Creek Vineyard
The Glue that Keeps the Whole Thing Going
Atlanta Dish
Blog of the Week
Blind Muscat
The Merits of Meritage
Wineries.net
Boston Wine Expo exhibitors, and the reason why winemakers are so darn happy