When you visit a winery, do you ever wonder what the owner, winemaker or staff did before they worked here? Or maybe you think, would I be able to work at a winery someday? You might be surprised by how many people working at wineries previously had non-wine industry jobs.
In parts one and two of My Life Before the Wine Industry, we took an insider’s look into the lives of six people who currently work in the wine industry, but it wasn’t their first career. It’s time to explore the lives of four more people and learn what they did before they started working with wine.
Heather Baker: The Path to Hospitality Guru
When I first meet Heather Baker, her enthusiasm for her work and dedication to customer service were immediately apparent. I incorrectly assumed she’d been in her tasting room position for decades. As I got to know her, I learned she was the newest member of the Soda Rock Winery Tasting Room team. As I took a few minutes to ask her some “get acquainted” questions, I realized she had the perfect story to share in this series.
Law Enforcement & Songs
Heather’s post-college career started in Nashville, Tennessee. By day, she was a probation officer for Davidson County, which paid her bills. But what Heather did during her off hours was a bit of a surprise—she was a country music song writer!
Heather’s time in Nashville ended after 10 years, with her moving to Northern California. Although surrounded by wineries, she spent the next 12 years working as a juvenile probation officer in Napa County. In her free time, she and her husband, who also loves wine, roamed along the Wine Road, exploring wine tasting opportunities in Dry Creek, Russian River and Alexander Valleys, and beyond.
Next Stop: Wine
On a fateful day in 2017, Heather was laid off from her probation officer job due to federal budget cuts. On her way from Napa to her home in Sonoma County, she stopped by one of her favorite wineries to buy a bottle of wine. After she told the story of her day to the person in the tasting room, they offered her a job on the spot. Thinking it would be temporary, Heather accepted it and her new career was launched. As with many wineries, the staff at this winery was small and each person’s job description is long. It was at this new position that Heather became known as the hospitality guru and never looked back.
The Best Part
When I asked Heather what is her favorite part of working in a tasting room, she quickly responded, “I love the people. I love talking to people and how wine brings people together. The more we talk to people, the more we know what we have in common.” Makes me wonder if Heather might have the beginnings for a new country song.
I asked Heather if she missed her old job. “I don’t miss the paperwork or difficult environment,” said Heather. “But I do miss that light bulb moment when a kid gets it, and I can help them turn their life around.”
If you want to meet Heather and hear more about her life before the wine industry, stop by Soda Rock Winery and say hello.
Kimia Miller: Labor of Love
Kimia Miller didn’t have her sights set on a career in the wine industry while working in her family’s wholesale distribution solar energy business. But as with Heather Baker, fate stepped in. Kimia began dating Erik Miller, the winemaker and co-owner of Kokomo Winery in Dry Creek Valley, and they eventually married.
Being around a winery owner and winemaker, Kimia found opportunities to taste wonderful wines, and learn more about the business side of owning a winery and the winemaking process. “I love the mix of science and artistry that’s involved in winemaking,” Kamia said.
Family Affair
After Erik and Kimia’s first child was born, Kimia decided that when she returned to work, she wanted it to be more fulfilling and closer to home. The timing was perfect, as an opportunity was available at Kokomo Winery. Kimia jumped at the chance to work with Erik and be a part of the winery.
“After growing up in family business, I had always dreamed of having a family business of my own and working with my husband,” she said.
Working in all aspects of her parent’s business was the perfect training ground for her new career, as she supports all facets of the winery. Ten years in, Kimia’s responsibilities are too numerous to list. Her official title is Business Manager, handling all the administrative aspect that keep the business running. Plus, managing the tasting room and wine club staff ensures every visitor and club member enjoys a memorable experience and superb customer service. If you attend an event at Kokomo, you’ll find Kimia greeting guests or pouring wine alongside husband Erik.
Favorite Things
Kimia has many favorites in her role at the winery. “I love interacting with our visitors, as they are typically on vacation, or a day off, and are happy to be here and are relaxed,” said Kimia. “We show them a good time and share some delicious wines with them. We also have a phenomenal team who all really work from their heart and everyone feels like family here, which I love.” She also loves working in a beautiful location, for Kokomo is located in the middle of the very picturesque Dry Creek Valley.
Kimia found her way to the wine industry through love. Now it seems she might be spreading love around to Kokomo visitors and the folks who work with her, too.
Abby Viszlay: A Nose for the Right Job
When Abby Viszlay’s friend started a natural home and body products business in her native Minnesota, Abby joined in to further develop the business. It was a great post-college job, but there was a shift in the Viszlay household that would eventually change Abby’s career path.
In 2010, John Viszlay, Abby’s father, purchased a vineyard and winery just south of Healdsburg. John taught himself everything he needed to know from how to farm the vineyard, drive a forklift, when to harvest, how to make wine, and so much more. In 2013, after four years of researching and creating new products, sourcing the materials and helping to run her friend’s business, Abby was ready for a change. She reached out to her dad, who encouraged her to come help him with Viszlay Vineyards.
Never Looked Back
After some persuasive points from John like, “Why not come here and help me,” and “Help me grow something with your own name on it,” Abby decided to give it a try. With a one-way airline ticket, one checked bag and a carry on, Abby left Minnesota for Sonoma County.
With no experience in wine other than picking up a bottle or two for dinner with friends, Abby dove in and worked the 2013 harvest. She got to experience her dad’s new adventure first hand and determine if the wine world was a good fit for her as well. Her trial winery gig turned out to be just the right fit. Abby made Viszlay Vineyards her new place of work, and Healdsburg her new home.
Nerdy Enthusiasm
“I’m now the Hospitality Manager and Assistant Winemaker,” said Abby. “Thank goodness for life’s twists and turns, because wine is truly where art meets science. Being at a small winery has given me space to be as nerdy as I’d like and dive into the science side of things to understand why and what is happening in a glass; as well as the satisfaction of seeing the grapes we grew develop into a delicious wine we get to share with the world. We get to bottle up a new snapshot of paradise every year and that’s pretty remarkable.” Just from her answer, it’s evident that Abby enjoys her new career.
Abby’s previous job creating natural home and body products involved some of the same skills and attributes as producing great wine. Both rely heavily on the sense of smell and an understanding of science married to a sense of artistry. Never underestimate what valuable skills you bring with you when you start a career in the wine industry.
It’s the People
As I dug a little deeper, asking Abby to tell me her favorite part of working in the wine world, I started to see a pattern in what folks love about the wine industry.
“The wine is great, but it’s really the amazing people I’ve meet which is the best part,” shared Abby. “This industry is full of interesting people who have wonderful stories to share. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a couple people who lightly mentored me and I’ve also been fortunate to meet fantastic friends who have become like family. And, the views are pretty great, too.”
Having recently visited Viszlay Vineyards, I can attest that Abby’s new career comes with stellar views and great wine. Abby and her dad John are the winery’s only fulltime employees, so when you stop by for a tasting, you’ll most likely meet Abby, and possibly John, too. As she pours the Viszlay wines for you, she’ll share her enthusiasm for the winemaking process and plenty of interesting tidbits about wine, too.
If you’d like to read a more about John Viszlay, check out part two of My Life Before the Wine Industry.
Heidi Dittloff: Bringing a Fresh Perspective
Corporate America seemed to be Heidi Dittloff’s calling, with executive positions in finance, real estate and technology. So how did she end up working at a winery in Healdsburg?
After Heidi left a Washington state technology start-up, her Sonoma County based friends encourage her to move here. Their persuasion worked, and when Heidi arrived, she decided to get into the wine industry. After receiving multiple rejections from wine companies who thought she wasn’t the right fit, her perseverance paid off. She tried one last winery, and finally someone understood her value as an employee. Longboard Vineyards offered Heidi a position — a wise move on their part. That was almost five years ago. Heidi supports Longboard with her business development, hospitality, event planning and marketing skills.
Embracing Change
When asked to share her favorite part of her new career, Heidi responded, “The fun part about this industry is it is ripe for change and the customer knows it. Assisting the wine industry to think differently and accept the change that has happened. Developing collaboration with other industries as well as other wineries. It is exciting when great relationships form, and cross-pollination becomes a win-win for all.”
I asked Heidi what she’d tell someone else interested in transitioning into this industry. She said, “Think bigger than tasting rooms and wine clubs. They are good places to start, but think where you want to go in the industry. Think about data, customer acquisition strategy, unique hospitality, diversifying sales funnels and social media. There are many options.”
Sound Advice
After asking Heidi to share her story about transitioning to the wine industry, I thought to ask the same question to other outsiders who are now entrenched in the wine world.
Heather Baker, probation office and country music songwriter turned hospitality guru, explained, “Being on the hospitality side of the industry is mostly about connecting with people, and helping customers enjoying themselves in the moment.” She went on to say you can’t fake hospitality, and you need to honor that every person is different. Great advice for someone who is thinking about working in a tasting room. I’ve heard time and time again that you can teach people about wine, but you can’t teach them how be hospitable, kind, engaging, funny and respectful of others.
And Even More Sound Advice
As Kimia Miller, who transitioned from one family business to another, said, “There is so much to learn about wine, which keeps it very interesting, but don’t be intimidated by it! This industry is filled with kind, knowledgeable people who want to help educate you and share their passion for wine.” So true, Kimia. Everyone really is helpful, and people in this industry really do support one another in so many ways.
Abby Viszlay’s advice to potential newcomers is, “There are so many ways to join the wine industry. It’s multifaceted with areas pretty unique to other industries. Chances are better than you’d think that there’s a great fit for you if you’re up for the challenge. I didn’t think my perfumery knowledge would apply to anything else, but I get to use that to help describe aromatics and flavors in wine. In a way, I translate or interpret wine to make it more accessible and understandable to winery guests. A wine person can come from anywhere, so why not give it a try?”
Life Before the Wine Industry
Next time you’re in a tasting room, ask the person pouring for you what they did before their life in the wine industry. You might be surprised at some of the answers you hear, and we all love a good story.
Happy Sipping!
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