Wine is blue collar AF
So I no longer work in HR and have transitioned to wine full time… Let me tell you , this did not come with immediate satisfaction of fulfilled dreams. I am struggling. In full transparency, each day I really do garner the strength to keep a positive attitude.
Let me tell you why:
Now, I already knew this, but every time I'm blessed with an opportunity to be fully immersed in wine, I am thoroughly reminded that this sh*t is tough. Seeing people galivant in wine country or enjoying curated wine gatherings feels so out of reach at times because I'm on the other end providing that experience and it is HARD WORK. I do love being able to curate these experiences but let me tell you why it's hard:
Retail: The amount of unkind phone calls and in-person encounters of people treating you like you're not a human should honestly be a crime. Ego is a real b*tch and people show it to me every day. We all have privilege in some way and it's up to us daily not to be an a$$hole about it. So many kudos to people in retail and hospitality.
Pay: The wine industry is labeled as a sinking ship in some regards and the blame is on Gen Z'ers (totally unfair). This for sure trickles down into what a living wage looks like for folks working in the industry and in full transparency, it is hard! In the US, wine can seem like such a novelty or luxury beverage for the "sophisticated". Let me tell you, wine is blue collar AF.
Time: One of the goals I had for myself this year was to prioritize quality time with the ones I love. That has become a HUGE challenge lately.
HOWEVER. All that being said, I have grown tremendously over the past few months and am still reassured that wine is an art form that I love. Even after a long day of work (sometimes even before the day starts), I'm still educating myself about grape varietals, vinification methods, wine region history, etc. The passion is still there. For every unkind customer, there is someone I got to help feel excited about what they're sipping. I get to invite people into curiosity and boldness to try something they've never had before. I get to work and learn alongside some of the best and brightest colleagues I could ask for.
Moral of this story is, we're all out here doing our best and sometimes it feels defeating when you thought it'd be a bit easier. There are always reminders though of what's still true in your heart.
Treat retail associates with kindness. Don't be afraid to ask them questions or let them know you appreciate them <3