- Photo by: Sharon Hester
Since I began my career in the wine industry, the number one question I get asked is, “How did you learn so much about wine?” It seems like such an easy question to answer, but the journey has been complex and life changing, to say the least. Usually, I reply with, “lots and lots of drinking.” Which is true, in part. However, that offers little more than the assumption that I must be a huge lush (give me a little credit, I’m not in my twenties anymore). My path into the wondrous, esoteric world of wine began as another chapter in my life closed.
Thanks to the economic downturn that left myself and millions of Americans jobless, I found myself questioning why I had stayed in an unfulfilling career for as long as I had. Two months into unemployment, I remembered why – it paid the bills! After unsuccessfully applying for hundreds of jobs I never thought I’d consider, I was left with nothing but time to think about my next move. During one of our many ‘world-saving’ conversations, my husband asked me, “If you could create your own career, what would it look like? What would you do?” I started thinking about all my favorite things; food, wine, interior design. How would I make a legitimate career out of any of these with little more than a passion for them all? But my husband offered me a challenge and with my competitive spirit the journey was born.
I spent the entire next day thinking about the vivid memory of pouring wine with a dear friend as we cooked all afternoon in my apartment, and while perusing the literature at a doctor’s office, I chose the wine magazine that I just couldn’t put down or give back (c’mon, I paid the copay). All of these intense memories flooded my thoughts and like asking the Magic 8 Ball, it was decidedly so, I was meant to be immersed in the world of wine. Wow, that was easier than I thought.
Next step: Google “Wine Jobs in Phoenix”. I was lost…Off-premise Sales Rep, Merchandising Associate, Wine Steward, Brand Manager. I realized that it was going to take more than passion to get my foot in the door. During my 100th hour of research, I came across a woman’s blog that revolved around wine jobs. And there it was, the post I had been looking for, “How to break into the wine industry”. I learned a lot that day, but mostly that I had no business sending my resume out into the prestigious wine industry without having anything more than “Wine Enthusiast” on my list of prior experience. They take their shit seriously. Her blog left me discouraged and pissed off. That was my first lesson in the “I’m going to give my blog a sardonic title aimed to get you to read it just so I can crush your dreams” blog post. But, I ain’t goin’ out like that.
Once I realized that I needed genuine wine experience and also a general knowledge of what types of jobs were available in the desert (without a vineyard or winery within a 100 mile radius), I was off to Austin, Texas and the International Wine Guild. After some serious inundation of fermented grape knowledge, I was granted my Level I Cellar Manager Certification. Now I could add, “Glorified Wine Enthusiast” to my resume. It was a start.
With my background in sales, I determined working for a distributor was the path I was headed toward. I researched all the local distributors and had a serious affinity for one in particular. Aside from their stellar portfolio of wines, they touted things like, “We have no 'human resources department', dress-code, 'write-ups', peer review, or unnecessary meetings!” It wasn’t because they were completely nuts, but because they created a culture where each individual would thrive. Before I could even finish reading their “about us” page, I pictured myself among them, drinking the juice. This is where I belonged. Without another thought, my resume was sent.
“Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your interest, unfortunately we do not currently have any positions available.
All the best,
Dream Crusher”
Not so fast my friends. Up until this point, I must have submitted my resume to 150+ places of employment without a single reply. THIS was an opportunity. I know what you’re thinking, “what part of ‘we do not currently have any positions available’ do you not understand?” I guess the part where they said “we”. My husband asked me what position I would create for myself. And this was my chance to answer that question.
Hi Dream Crusher,
Thanks so much for getting back to me. There's no doubt we're all doing more with less these days, so I appreciate the time you're taking to correspond with me. As I mentioned in my previous email, I am new to the industry and I still have much to learn. In that spirit, I wanted to find out if you have, or would, offer any type of internship. I am extremely motivated to learn all that I can, and I would be grateful to gain a better understanding of your side of the business.
Again, thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you at your convenience.
Have a wonderful week!
Best,
Dream Crushee
Tick tock, tick tock.
Hi Michelle,
When you say internship, are you saying that you would work for free in return for exposure to the industry? If that is the case, I would be open to sitting down to see if we could make something work.
And with that, my dream turned into a reality. I know, I know, I wasn’t even getting paid. Well, from what I could tell no one was willing to pay me anyway as long as my job title remained “Glorified Wine Enthusiast”. So, did they live up to the hype of being the cool kids on the block that I envisioned while reading their website? That and so much more. The knowledge I gained from my friends at Quench Fine Wines and the numerous winemakers and suppliers I had the privilege to meet is irreplaceable and, no doubt, impossible to obtain anywhere else in this state and, I’d bet, the country.
After my three month internship came to a close, they took another chance on me and offered me a coveted Quench Sales Route. A legitimate career in wine. So, to those that ask how I learned so much about wine, and to that woman with her sarcastic blog post: THAT’S how you break into the wine industry.
