I might be a joy junkie…
I’m sitting here working on the back label copy of our soon-to-be bottled first vintage of wine, trying to tell my story (in 70 words or less) of WHY I wanted to make my own wine in the first place. Why 8 years ago this month, I chose to leave a career I loved, a six-figure salary with a company I thought I’d retire from and a big circle of framily (you read that right- friends who are like family) to move across the country alone to somewhere I had only vacationed to a hand full of times.
The answer is simple and complex at the same time. But mostly simple. I. Love. Wine.
You’re probably thinking, Ok, Nikki, I love wine too… Well here’s what I love about it.Wine is a communal beverage. Historically, it’s been one of the only beverages not bottled in a “single serving container” (you may argue that a 750 ml wine bottle is exactly that…touché…depends on the day #2020). But traditionally it is meant for sharing; to bring people together.
And in a time when we need it more than ever, wine does exactly that. We may not all agree on many (or any) things right now, but wine has a way of transcending that. Because it brings us together, around the fire pit or around the table and in the perfect scenario, that table is covered in beautiful food AND wine and flanked by people we care about and want to share that common experience with. And that, my friends, is pure joy. And I am a joy junkie. Always looking for that next high.
For me (and maybe for you), wine can also a be a very emotional experience. There have been many times in my life when a particular wine has brought tears to my eyes or triggered goosebumps on my arms and sometimes it’s just the smell alone that can do that!In fact my Ah Ha wine moment that was pivotal for me was at Palo restaurant on the Disney Cruise Line. I know many of you reading this are familiar with that gem… and some of you reading this were even sitting at the table with me that night in October 2006. That moment when a sip of a wine stopped me in the middle of my conversation (hard to do) and took me on a journey.
The wine was a “Super Tuscan” called Tignanello and I had never heard that term until that night. I had also never had a wine that changed and evolved so much in the glass that every sip was like the first sip. (A Super Tuscan is a wine made in the Tuscany region with primarily the native grape, Sangiovese, blended with non-Italian grapes like Cabernet or Merlot). A decade later I would be able to secure an invitation to visit the elusive Tignanello estate and see where the magic was made. It was like coming home.
As you may know (or can guess), my first wine that I will release is a California Sangiovese.
If I can create a wine that can one day bring someone as much joy and Light as that Super Tuscan did for me, my job will be done and my heart will be full.
And that, my friends, is why I. Love. Wine.
Sip Well,
Nikki
PS- there is a hint about the wine label’s name in the second to last sentence….