The Wine Blokes

There is a perception by some that winemakers are are a bunch of egotistical, obnoxious, self absorbed types.  I have to admit that there are a few out there who fit this mould, making wine from a desk, lunching everday, hosting wine dinners, and covorting around the globe with distributors and retailers. Some would say, what a great life, but it can be hard work. However, I would guess that the great majority are exceptionally hard workers whos skill goes far behond the technicalities of growing the grapes and making the wine. It seems that alot of winemakers (and viticulturists), in many ways are a modern day supermen. In any one day, a winemaker needs to be a barista, mechanic, plumber, electrician, chemist, agronomist, marketer, accountant, artist, entertainer, writer, journalist, chef, tractor driver, machinery operator, truck driver, and almost any other occupation you can think of. 

It rings especially true for smaller wineries where there is a small team and everybody has to be proficient at everything. It’s not uncommon in the middle of vintage for a winemaker to have to drive the tractor to collect the grape bins, operate the forklift, fix a leaky pump, get covered from head to to in red must, entertain wine journalists in the cellar door, organise a wine order for overseas, and then host a wine dinner at some swanky restaurant.

So as much as the occupation has some great lifestyle benefits, it also provides you with a very real and diverse experience of life.  If you ask many winemakers why they love the job so much , many will tell you that no two days are the same, ever.