Analogies

The decision to open a winery reminds me of my decision to overcome my claustrophobia by scuba diving.  I’m not an outgoing person, to which some of my friends can attest. In fact, I’m very difficult to get out of my door, and away from my home and dogs.   Other than having to leave my house to sell wine, there are a few other challenges that I’ve come across running a PA Limited Winery. 

The flow of small batch wine is like the tide.  It has its ebb and flow. Getting ready to bottle a batch of a favorite wine is likened to the excitement watching a wave building in volume before it breaks.  Offering tastings and chatting with happy people is like having your feet on the beach with the water slowly lapping upon them.  Saying “I’m sold out” to one of your favorite customers is like your feet sinking in the sand once the water pulls away.  

The cash flow in a small business is more like a roller coaster.  There are ups and downs, and there is just enough fear to raise the heart rate by about 10 beats a minute depending on the day. It can sometimes tighten your chest.

I guess most small businesses are looking for the river boat ride where the curves are gentle and the water flows smoothly. My 2024 river boat idea is a Wine Adoption Program.  It would begin here at the winery with a barrel tasting, at which time the case is purchased at sharply discounted prices.  When it’s time to bottle that wine, there would be another visit to the winery to taste it again. The wine will then be bottled and the case will be available for pick up shortly afterward.  Each barrel of wine will have 12 cases available for adoption.

Unlike my scuba experience (which did not go as I’d anticipated) once I get out of the house, I have a great time talking with people about wine.  If I had it all to do again, I would … but I would still prefer the river boat.