Over time, I’ve become familiar with certain steps in the winemaking process by working with my employer–sampling grapes, doing punchdowns, or cleaning tanks. Yet I had never experienced it in such detail until last week, when I harvested my own fruit and began my own winemaking project.
In my mind, I’m on a journey. I’ve landed in a thick jungle and I’ve gotta make my own path out. In the spirit of adventure, then, I give you:
10 Reasons Why Making Your First Wine is Like Traveling to an Unfamiliar Country
- You are excited! Now scared. Now excited! Now scared. Now …
- You are spending waaaay too much money. And it’s worth every penny.
- Friends who’ve been where you are going wanna tell you exactly how to get there and what to do. Now, should you take their advice?
- Once you set off on the trip, you realize you really should’ve packed some nutrients—like trail mix, or maybe some Ferm-Aid.
- You knew in your gut you were taking a wrong turn, and you did it anyway. Now you are lost and it’s a little scary. Always trust your gut!
- Where you least expect it, you find a like-minded friend to help you on your way.
- You speak the language, and blend in pretty well—but you’re not a local. And there’s always someone reminding you of that.
- As an outsider, you discover things even the locals don’t know.
- When the day is over, you’re gonna kick off your boots and have a cold beer.
- You don’t know what’s next on the itinerary, but you can’t wait to find out…