Hi reader,

How was your August? It's been a bit of a whirlwind for some of us. I hope this newsletter allows you to take a pause, while I share my musings from the world of wine. 

In my research on the latest winery we’re featuring, I came across a line that has been echoing in my head for a while. The winemaker said: “The way our wines are made should not remain a niche,” a strong conviction that can only come from profound self-confidence and trust in one’s practice. It’s a powerful thing to read in the midst of work. It nonchalantly cracked the lens of competition in which I saw the world. I thought what you do should always be unique. I reckon, the antidote to the Sisyphean plans we have for ourselves is neither contentment nor oblivion, but an abundant spirit. This thought was lost for many of us as we headed fast towards mass production and endless work. The constant demand for innovation is tiring, and at the end of the day we battle the same thoughts we’ve conquered and we withdraw. We sometimes forget that comparison and isolation kills creativity, while openness inspires. Isn’t it the desire of winemakers to share their practices to apprentices the reason why natural winemaking returned to vineyards around the world? This movement is responsible for the continued flourishing of decades to centuries-old vines, healing the lands, and nourishing the wine drinkers. 

In the same breadth, it’s the absence of secrets that connects the drinker to the spirit of the wine. This connection is important because it gives meaning to their work. Wine is thought-provoking because it carries with it the terroir, the care, and the thoughtful processes it went through. Akin to the soulful dishes of nonnas and abuelas, it all starts with quality ingredients, then stirred with love. The intention of the maker is conveyed through their creation. For D.B. Schmitt, it’s their wines that come from healthy vineyards and long maturation periods, accompanied by their good feelings.  

So go on, pour yourself a glass, and recognize everything that comes to mind. Perhaps the wine maker is hoping that someone gets their message in a bottle…

X

Malja 

This article was written by Malja Steffi Lee