I became a winemaker so I could be a mom

I became a winemaker by accident. My husband, Aron, wanted to make wine. I tagged along because I thought it would be nice to raise kids in the country. I had an image of wee ones frolicking around in pastures green, which happened, kind of.. for a while... Life happens, and after starting a business and planting a vineyard and creating two small boys, Aron and I went our separate ways. I became a winemaker so I could continue the business and have the best chance of a flexible schedule so I could juggle the need to earn a living with the duties of being a parent.

I like my job, most days, and I actually really love making wine, but I didn't start out with some grand scheme to create the best wine I possibly could. I thought that if I continued being self employed I would be able to pick my kids up from school, and play hookie with them once in a while to take an impromptu trip to the beach. I didn't want to have to worry who was going to take care of them if they were sick and I didn't want to have to miss a birthday because a client desperately wanted something within an impossible timeframe.

My two young boys are now young men, one in college and one poised to go later this year, and they're lovely, and I still like making wine, although it's been far too long since we played hookie to go to the beach. Hmmm.....