A Little Bit of Honesty From The Soul

As a wine business owner for just over a year now, the element that has surprised—and truly delighted—me the most is how many events I end up doing to connect with the community. Of course, it makes sense. Wine is a sensory experience, but it’s also a social one. People want to feel a connection to what they’re drinking. They want a story, a moment, a memory. And what better way to offer that than to show up in person?

I’ve found myself pouring wine at everything from yoga events to paint-and-sip nights, chatting with people of all generations. I love hearing what they’re into, what they care about, what they’re curious to try next. And I listen—really listen. I read, I follow the drink trends, and I notice what’s shifting.

There’s no denying that wellness is having a moment. Millennials and Gen Zers, for instance, are more attuned to their sleep habits than any generation before them (just listen to this podcast episode). And when I talk to people in their twenties, they’re not just asking if the wine is vegan, low sugar, or natural—they want to know: Will this give me a headache tomorrow?

Older generations, too, are evolving. I’ve had countless conversations with longtime wine drinkers who are stepping away from the high-alcohol California reds they once loved. They’re exploring lighter styles, lower tannins, and embracing moderation. There’s a real shift toward quality over quantity—and honestly, it feels refreshing.

But as someone who stores it and is in it every day, I have to stay mindful too. Just last week, after an action-packed spring break with my kids, I told myself: That’s it. No wine for me this week. Ignore your collection. Just be productive. By day three, I was feeling off-kilter. Stress was circling my brain like a swarm of bees. I was taking on the world a little too much. I didn’t sleep well. I wasn’t unwinding.

That night, my husband looked at me and said, “Okay, that’s it. Can you please sit down? Let’s have some dinner and open a bottle of wine.”

So we did. We poured a bottle from our collection—something honest, balanced, not too high in alcohol. We sat down. We talked. And then we kept talking, long after our dinner plates were cleared. That bottle became an anchor to forego dishes for a while and settle into that exact time and place. Our kids would periodically dance onto the deck, laughing and telling a story, and we looked at each other and thought, These are the days.

Later, when the kids had gone back inside, we reminisced about an old family friend struggling with his health. Smiled thinking about old memories. Laughed on more than one occasion. Said, Those were the days. That bottle of wine didn’t just enhance the meal. It slowed us down. It brought us back to ourselves. To each other. The breeze rustled through the trees, and everything felt grounded again.

I slept wonderfully that night.

And the next morning, it struck me: Isn’t this the essence of wine? Not excess. Not escape. But connection. A bridge between our past, present, and future. A way to root ourselves in the moment and in each other.

Of course, there’s a fine line with wine. It can be a perfect complement to what we eat, what we do, who we are. But if we’re not mindful, it can also tip into something harmful. That awareness is crucial. But when we do get it right—when we choose wisely, drink consciously, and let wine be a thread that weaves through our lives in a healthy, meaningful way—it becomes something so much more than just a drink.

It becomes a mindful thought to soak in the moment — These are the days. Or maybe its just a beautiful reminder of once was— Those were the days.

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In loving memory of Keith Jones - thank you for being a second family to me when I needed it most. We love you and miss you.