WINE COUNTRY DADS
CODY WRIGHT
Winegrower/Winemaker - Purple Hands Winery
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I have been a winemaker for my full-time job since 2003, I’m 44 years old now. 21 years of winemaking with a couple vintages abroad. I started Purple Hands Winery in 2005.
Do your kids help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
My children are 10 and 7. Since they were born we have planted and developed two 20-acre estate vineyards where we live in the Willamette Valley, and our winery. Just as I was raised in family wineries and vineyards, they are naturally part of the family business, they are in the winery and vineyards everyday. There’s a level of osmosis that happens growing up in a family business. If my wife's and my passion for winemaking and viticulture is handed down to the kids that would be natural. It would also be natural for them to find their own passions, as they have seen the work and pressure of winemaking and farming grapes and the ups and downs that can come with the industry and having a livelihood based around farming.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
The most surprising part of being a parent for me is my pursuit in wanting to be the best I can for them. When we decided to be parents I never pictured or thought about how much it would evolve my perspectives. Being a person that they can trust and count on means more than anything to me.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
You need to be present and have intention. Just as wines have their own journey, so do our children. We set them on a path and guide them for success, letting them fall down and get back up on their own all the while being the wind behind their sails forward.
What advice do you have for new dads in the industry?
We all only get this one life with our families. Make it count.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
There’s a never ending list of laughter. In the winery watching them at different times do their first punch downs on fermenters at around the ages of 4 or 5 was very entertaining.
As a dad and winemaker or business leader you have two full-time jobs. What's the key to making it all work?
There’s no one key, and it takes a village. Having a great partner and surrounding yourself with great people with the same ideology towards family helps keep you grounded. Just as a business takes the work everyday to continue moving forward so does your family. It’s always a work in progress, if you keep your intentions in the right place its seems to navigate it well.
Any other thoughts or insights you'd like to share?
Life races by, don’t take it for granted and be blessed to have all of these beautiful things around you, most of all family!
ERIC BERG
Owner/Winemaker - Richochet
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
Since 2004, but Ricochet since 2018. Been a dad since 2011!
Does your daughter help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping she takes an interest in following in your footsteps?
Yes! She loves sorting, punch downs, pump overs. She did a three-day bottling run that was terrible. She helps with events, and even has a wine dedicated to her. She is her own person, and I don't put any pressure on her. Right now she wants to be an elephant veterinarian. Very specific.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
The sass? (Evelyn is 12.) No, I think everything is surprising. There is no instruction manual. But some surprises--maybe most--are hilarious and create a family inside joke. I'm surprised a bit at how sophisticated my daughter is, while a fart joke is still classic.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
Handling ambiguity and calling audibles.
What advice do you have for new dads in the industry?
Door Dash is your friend.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
That's a tough one. I guess it's funny when I pour my Vin d'Evelyn, and my daughter says, "That's MY wine." And I go, "Whoa whoa whoa. Who MADE it?!"
As a dad and winemaker or business leader you have two full-time jobs. What's the key to making it all work?
Beer.
Any other thoughts or insights you'd like to share?
I don't believe in advice. Wise men never offer advice, and fools always take it.
SHANE MOORE
Winemaker - Gran Moraine / Zena Crown
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I started dragging hoses and doing lab work at a small winery in 2004. It took about 10 years before I was Winemaker at Gran Moraine. I’ve been a dad since 2017.
Does your son help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping he takes an interest in following in your footsteps?
I take Charlie to vineyards and occasionally the winery during harvest. We are always taking him out to eat at great restaurants and he has a great palate. I mention to him often that he can be anything he wants as long as it’s a winemaker.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
That I actually felt like I was busy before being a parent. I also never thought it would be as much fun!
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
From fatherhood you learn to be a more patient manager. You learn to stress to your employees to put themselves and their families first. We’re just making wine ya know! From winemaking you learn how fast the seasons change and the need to slow down and enjoy the moment.
What advice do you have for new dads in the industry?
Make sure to put your family first when ever you can. Harvest is hard, slow down where you can the rest of the year.
Interns make great babysitters.
As a dad and winemaker or business leader you have two full-time jobs. What's the key to making it all work?
Delegation.
EVAN BELLINGAR
Founder - Bellingar Estates
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
We started the winery and this whole parenting thing in 2014. Making wine is definitely easier!
Do your kids help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
At this point, they just help with "scouting". It would be nice if one of the kids wanted to continue the legacy, but I wouldn't want them to feel "boxed in" by the business. Who wants to take career advice from their parents?
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
The hearing loss. Pro tip: keep earplugs in your pockets at all times.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
Great wine makes both much easier.
What advice do you have for new dads in the industry?
Prioritize your family. Training vines is super important and permanent; parenting is 100x more permanent and more important.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
Aria was at a wine event we held, maybe four years old at the time, and we don't know who she was emulating or how she heard of the idea, but she grabbed an empty glass, danced around a bit, and said "this is how I sound when I drink chardonaaaaaay!" Hilarious!
As a dad and winemaker or business leader you have two full-time jobs. What's the key to making it all work?
Taking the time with your kids is more important than anything else you are doing. The only people who will remember you worked late in 20 years will be your kids, so take the time to interact with them TODAY!
ROBERT ROTHWELL
Winemaker - Aurora Vineyards
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I've been the head winemaker for seven months and a Dad for nearly fifteen years.
Do your sons help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
All three of my sons have come to work with me at one time or another and those are my absolute favorite days at work because they ask so many questions and want to know everything about what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I'd love for one or more of them to take interest in winemaking, but at the end of the day I want them to find a career that makes them as happy as winemaking makes me.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
How much I like my kids. I have loved them unconditionally since day one, but how much I like them as people has been surprising. They're great kids with unique personalities that I just love.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
Strategic Agility, resource management, task management, and more go both ways. As a father and as a winemaker I have to juggle time, resources, and tasks constantly.
What advice do you have for new dads in the industry?
Forgive yourself for your mistakes. There is no true guidebook on raising kids, there are plenty of books to help, but none of them survive first contact with your child, because every father and every child is different. You're going to make mistakes, and that's ok.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
When my youngest son was sick at school one day during harvest I had to go get him and return to work. The rest of the day, this tiny little boy followed me around everywhere in his high-vis vest and hard hat, taking dips, carrying supplies, and asking every question under the sun. It was the best day.
As a dad and winemaker or business leader you have two full-time jobs. What's the key to making it all work?
Knowing where your priorities are. Creating a support network, especially during harvest, at home and work is vital. If my kids need me, I will drop everything for them, and I can do that because I have a strong team behind me. On the other side of that coin, if I need to be at work for 16 hours a day seven days a week, I know that my family is well taken care of thanks to my amazing wife.
Any other thoughts or insights you'd like to share?
My goals as a father are similar to my goals as a winemaker. I want my kids and the next generation of winemakers that I help nurture to be better than me. I want them to have access to all the tools, training, and experiences I wish I had had, and I want them to be able to achieve more because I, and others like me, have helped smooth the path ahead.
JOSH McDANIELS
Winemaker - Bledsoe | McDaniels
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I first started making wine when I was 16 years old and started my own winery. Luckily, I also wasn’t a Dad at that time or it would have been even more challenging! I have been a Dad for 7 years now- my Daughter, Alex, was born in 2016.
Do your kids help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
There is definitely a part of me that wants to see them in the wine industry but an even larger part that wants them to follow what really makes them happy. If anything, they will certainly understand what good wine is and have a background to enjoy the wine industry! I know how hard this industry is and how lucky I have been and would love to see them be successful in their own eyes rather than mine.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
Emotions! I became the biggest “wuss” when my Daughter was born and haven’t been able to get away from it.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
A couple of things come to mind. One, vineyard focused, is how you can’t give vines in a high end vineyard everything they want and I think that is similar with kids. I want my kids to work hard for what they earn and hopefully, because of that, they produce better “fruit”. Obviously at the same time, you need to set up a great atmosphere and maintain proper nutrition, etc. for a vine and the same would be true with my kids. I want to make sure they are healthy and safe while they learn to work hard and be good people. On the wine side of things, I don’t want to be a “helicopter parent”- I hope my kids learn, even if it is the hard way, through their own failures and make improvement. My style of winemaking is similar in the sense that I like to be hands off in the cellar- let the true character of the vineyard come out in the wine and slowly help craft it into something special.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
There are so many stories, any probably need to be told in person!
LEO GABICA
Winemaker - Sweet Cheeks Winery
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I became winemaker of Sweet Cheeks Winery in 2013. Prior to that, I held the title of assistant winemaker and cellar master - I've been assisting with harvests since the late 90s. I'm coming up on my 30th year of being a dad, which is hard for me to believe.
Do your kids help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
My son, Ian, works with me. He started when we were self-distributed and would drive to the local stores and restaurants to deliver our wine. Eventually he moved into the vineyard and then into the cellar. I just want my kids to find something they enjoy doing - if working in the wine industry is fulfilling, that's great. If he wanted to find a new career I would be okay with that too. The skills you develop during winemaking are valuable in all career fields - you have to be accountable, adaptable and patient.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
Honestly, how fast the time goes. Now I'm the one telling others to cherish every moment they have with their young children.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
The number one thing is patience. There are certain things that are simply out of your control, but you have to try your best to guide and stand behind the outcome. Sometimes the things that surprise you the most, are the most rewarding in the end.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
When I first started at Sweet Cheeks Winery, I had my third child, Imari. With both myself and my wife working full-time, and not wanting to pay for childcare - our Founder, Dan Smith, told me to bring Imari with me. I would wear a baby carrier and do everything with her strapped to my chest. Sometimes that would be challenging!
MARK RUTHERFORD
Winemaker - Willamette Valley Vineyards
How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?
I graduated from Oregon State University in 2011 and began making wine at Left Coast Estate in October of 2011. I met my wife in 2016 after moving to McMinnville and we were blessed with the birth of our first child, Evelyn in March of 2019. Needless to say, life has been a little sweeter ever since, and made even sweeter this last February with the birth of our son, Brent.
Do your kids help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping they take an interest in following in your footsteps?
Both of my children are still pretty young at this point and I commute over an hour to and from work every day. It will be hard to get them out to the winery to visit frequently.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?
I think the most surprising thing about being a parent is finding a whole other level of love deep down inside of you that you didn't even know you were capable of. I think most parents would tell you that they would unequivocally step in front of a bus to save their child's life which is hard to replicate in most adult relationships. That depth of love is constantly rewarded every time you make your son or daughter smile, and it brings you joy just to be with them.
Conversely, being the father of two kids means that personal time and personal space is a thing of the past. Whether it's going to the bathroom with your little one in tow and chatting your ear off while you're doing your business, or waking up in the middle of the night with either a tiny foot in your face, or your little one snuggled up so close that you can't even roll over.
What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?
I think the main attributes that cross over from winemaking to fatherhood are constant attention and patience. Wines benefit from a little extra time before they hit the bottle in order to soften tannins and allow for the integration of all components so you don't always know what a wine can be until it is given time to develop. Patience with little ones often means not losing your marbles when they don't listen or are taking longer than expected to get out the door in the morning at the start of your day or to get ready for bed. And like wine children need constant attention to make sure they stay on the right path. A wine can go sideways pretty quickly if you aren't paying attention. Sometimes your children's behavior can go sideways regardless, but it always helps to try to stay ahead of it.
Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?
Nothing that pertains to being a winemaker specifically but one of my favorite memories is when my wife and daughter came to visit me at Left Coast during my first harvest as a father. Being a winemaker dad can be especially difficult during harvest when you leave before the household awakens and get home when everyone is already in bed. It's always nice to get a visit from the family to inject some rejuvenation and give you the strength to keep going.
