Last month I left one of my favorite jobs in the Washington wine industry.
After 35 months working at Col Solare Winery on the Red Mountain AVA, I have decided to take a break from wine sales and wine education. It was my choice. I remain a huge fan of Col Solare and their talented winemaker and cellar crew. Miss them too.
Twenty years ago I began working in the Washington wine industry. My first wine job was in 2005 working for Barnard Griffin Winery in Richland, Washington. What an amazing time. I learned I loved selling wine and telling stories about wine. This is when I began taking wine far more seriously, and learned more about winemaking, grape varieties, and customer interactions. Also, during this phase I was inspired to create this blog. I was discovering my writing "voice" and the beginning of my teaching voice. Thank you Rob, Deborah, Meagan, Kim, and all those I worked with. Thank you.
Writing about wine, from a wine sales and production winery view, began to open doors. When I volunteered at the 2010 Wine Blogger Conference in Walla Walla, Washington, more doors opened. And I began to focus on international wines. Really. For me it was such a revelation to embrace all wine. Not just Washington wine. My writing style began to evolve. My focus changed. I became truly enamored of wines from all over the world. With Washington as my baseline. Thank you Reno and Allan.
Then in 2012 I began a New Zealand Wine blog with my friend Julie. After receiving samples of New Zealand wine to review, I had my Pinot Noir epiphany in 2012. Naturally, I wanted to start a blog to share my new passion for New Zealand wines. And I hoped, still hope, to go and visit that beautiful country full of delicious wines. Some day.
In 2013 I was contacted by Linda Rez and asked if I could speak on her podcast about Thanksgiving wine recommendations. I responded yes! Then I was on the Christmas wines and New Years bubbles episode. And then we created The Wine Muse show, and for two years we tasted and talked with winemakers from all over the world. It was also a blast! And my speaking/podcaster voice began to emerge. I learned a lot about interviewing. It was truly a lot of fun. Thank you Linda.
Then, in 2015 I began working in Prosser, Washington at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center (defunct). I became the Wine Educator and hosted so many wine tasting sessions, wine and food pairing sessions, blind tastings, Washington vs the World, The Big 5, Bubbles and Bites, etc.. This is where I became comfortable with public speaking and found my voice. The largest groups I hosted were 85+ guests from the Wine and River cruises. I learned that I love working a room, I learned how to embrace and thrill my guests without panic attacks or nervousness. And I learned how to make them laugh. I also learned I live for those smiles, I live for that moment when my guests have their own personal epiphany about wine. I think I've made a modest impact on people regarding passion for wine. I believe I have cultivated many lovers of Washington wine. I've opened doors and windows for those new to wine. And for myself, I cannot truly enjoy wine without food. Wine and food pairings are essential to who I am and how I eat. It was such a tragedy that Covid closed the Clore Center. Enough about that. Thank you Abbey, April, Stephanie, Erika, Drake, Shae, Jennifer, Gwen, Deb, and all those who worked with me. And thank you to the Prosser wineries. I truly enjoyed getting to know you and recommending your beautiful wines. Thank you. Go visit Prosser, Washington, the birthplace of Washington Wine. Thank me later.
In the middle of 2020, my friends at Wautoma Springs Winery, in Prosser, Washington, asked me if I would like to work for them. They knew the Clore Center was mostly closed. They knew I was not working much. I instantly replied, "Yes!" So, during the remainder of Covid, I worked with friends. And we hired more of my friends from the Clore Center who also were not working much. Wautoma Springs winery, working with my friends, Jessica, Rachel, Drake, Shae, Sara, Gwen, Tom, they kept me sane during the pandemic. I am so truly thankful to have friends in the wine industry like the Wautoma Springs crew. Thank you, thank you! I get a bit emotional thinking about all the wonderful wine people in Prosser. You should go visit. The wines are so beautiful. And their gourmet shop is full of wonderful food and spices. I visit at least once a month. Oh, and the French salted butter...trust me, you want.
Then in 2022, I applied for a job at the famous Col Solare Winery on the Red Mountain AVA. Wow. Beautiful building, beautiful view, beautiful wines. My view and opinions on wine changed yet again. There's something truly special happening at Col Solare these days. If you read my previous post, or if you have tasted the 2022 Col Solare Cabernet Franc, then you know. I have such admiration for Col Solare winemaker Stephanie Cohen and her cellar crew. They are making wine in a style, with a quality finessed to such exquisite levels that I couldn't go wine tasting at other wineries for a couple of years. My palate became a Col Solare palate. I was comparing everything to what I sold. And I love what I sold. My story telling shifted again, and I learned a tremendous amount about the Antinori family, specifically about Renzo Cotarella and Piero Antinori. So many experiences. So many new stories. I made friends there too. Some have left Washington state. Some have moved to the west side of the state. And some are just down the street. Jen, Stephanie, Monica, Sam, Penny, Jeremy, Octavio, Spencer, Cody, Rod, Jeff, Melanie, Cas, it was a blast. Thank you for the conversations and the support. I remain a huge fan of Col Solare wines. Go visit. Thank me later.
I have not completely left the wine industry. I am still working occasionally for Taste Vacations as a Wine Tour Guide. A lot of work, but rewarding. I can share my stories and engage and entertain. Possibly making new friends. Highly Recommended company. They host wine country tours around the world. Check them out.
Okay. That's my update for June 2025. My next post will be about ice cream. Not sure what comes next.
Be safe, be kind.
- William