Shaping the Field

“The wine industry was an entirely new experience for me. Gary and I had located in Sonoma County after several years of out-of-state military, education and Vista volunteering had taken us away from California. With a master’s in food and nutrition, I was directed pretty quickly toward the wine industry. I was hired by Sonoma Vineyards, and within a fairly short time I was promoted to Director of Quality Control as part of the winemaking staff.

I took a period of time off after Brook was born, and I’d already had the thought of independent testing. We’d done some at Sonoma Vineyards for local wineries who didn’t have lab capability. When I started planning, I teamed up with MaryAnn Graf who had a similar idea. We formed Vinquiry. At the outset, I thought I would do this a few years when I needed to be in control of my time and then later get a job in winemaking. Our work at Vinquiry generated so much fascinating work and we had such acceptance in the industry, I just didn’t find a time I wanted to stop. I decided to do both in conjunction.

In making wine, I wanted to reflect what I’d learned and observed over a period of time. I most valued wines which were distinct as well as complex and supple. I really loved the challenge of making the kind of wine I chose to target.

A change arose when I developed Lyme disease and related thyroid problems. Like most things I dealt with, I thought I just had to figure it out and do the treatment. The problem became much more complex than that and forced me to give up winemaking.

I think Brook learned winemaking ‘organically’. He was surrounded by it growing up, seeing both the science side and production side. When he told me he wanted to make wine, he’d already lined up an incredible vineyard. When he took me there, I was astounded by the perfection of it. I was hooked.

I also think Brook, like me, has sensitive senses of smell and taste. It’s easy to see this repeating again with his son.

I don’t have a lot of thoughts on gender equity in the industry. I’ve known many highly successful women: winemakers, vineyard managers, scientists. … Being in a growth industry may have lessened the presence of gender tensions.