The Life of a Retail Wine Goddess

I just posted about how much I love the wine business and that same day when I went to work, all hell broke loose.  I fought with my boss, customers were asking ridiculous questions and I wanted to turn around and leave.  The wine business is not all it's cracked up to be.  People think it's glamorous and all you do every day is sit around and drink wine.  I mean, we do that, but there is a lot of spitting involved.

The retail business is even tougher.  You can't plan your life.  Your schedule is different every day, every week.  Today is Friday and I still don't have a clue when I'm working next week and what day I might have off.  Now, I just said day, instead of days.  Next week is a holiday week.  Passover starts this weekend and next weekend is Easter.  We have mandatory 6 day work weeks, with longer than normal shifts and NO EXTRA PAY.  That's right.  A 60+ hour work week for the same pay.  When you are a salaried employee, it is the owner's right to abuse you.

And holiday weeks bring out all the crazies.  And we have to deal with them with a smile on our faces.  These are people that never buy liquor, but they need it this week because they have to have it for their guests or they need to bring it over to someone's house.  They will be rude, demanding, and ignorant about wine.  When someone holds up a clear bottle of white wine and asks you "is this white or red?" you know it's a holiday week.

So, when you're out there this weekend and next week and you're shopping for your holiday brunches. please be kind to us - all retailers who are serving your needs and being abused by the system all in the name of a holiday. 

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Was the Wine Move a Mistake?

I sometimes ask myself if I should have stayed in advertising.  I miss the money, the perks...did I mention the money?  I have been in the wine business full-time now for 7 years.  I thought by now I would have moved further into my career than I have.  I thought by now, someone would have noticed how special my talents are and that I would be a real hot-shot in the wine industry.

But, despite all that, and despite people in my life who might try to squash my dreams of becoming a star in the industry, I remembered that it really was all worth it.  I love wine.  I love talking about it, learning about it, seeing how it's made, sharing it, finding new wines and of course, drinking it.  Despite all the nonsense that comes with my job role, I still love the business.  I'm still looking to be a superstar, but for now, I'll keep educating myself and my customers and keep reaching for the stars.

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