On making dreams come true

After many years of contemplating the idea and dreaming about it, I finally took the first step and I made my own wine. Before making the decision of making wine by myself, I wanted to shape the identity of my brand, for the future, and I never imagined that in that same year, 2021, I was actually gonna do it. I started thinking of new names for my hypothetical wine brand since the one I had thought of years ago was very likely not registerable. It was a long process because this was all an idea, a dream, and it didn't seem tangible or realistic in the short term even. I brainstormed for weeks until I felt a connection and it suddenly just clicked. So with the help of a lawyer, I submitted my application and this is how I got the ball rolling.

I didn't grow among vines and actually, at first, my family was a bit hesitant when I mentioned I wanted to do a career in wine. Like, gee girl, just have a drink and get it over with already. But I've always been very perseverant, or stubborn according to certain people. And my family has actually always been very supportive, in spite of the initial doubts!

I did Food Science Engineering in college and started working in wineries in northern Mexico (I'm Mexican FYI). I traveled the world while working in the wine industry for two years and a half. After two attempts, I got into UC Davis in 2017 and started my Master's Degree in Viticulture and Enology. I did an internship in the Napa Valley and then got myself a full-time position as an Enologist in Santa Ynez, California when the pandemic hit, and all my life was turned upside-down. I thought I had everything figured out; I had a life and friends and a beautiful home and a job I loved. But because of COVID-19, I wasn't able to renew my visa, I lost my job and had to come back to Mexico.

Damn, was it tough! I not only experienced culture shock coming back to my country of origin after almost six years abroad but finding myself again in the midst of having lost what felt like everything, including my grandparents, felt like hell. I was angry. So freaking angry. And for some weird reason, I felt guilty too. Like I disappointed my family because after so much effort I couldn't make it. I was back in my hometown, broke and sad and jobless. After six months of being back in Mexico, I took a job in Aguascalientes (central Mexico) in January 2021. I thought this was my second chance. I thought everything would be okay now. Oh, how wrong I was...

Let's say things didn't turn out to be what I expected. I struggled. A ton. But in spite of everything, in the middle of harvest, I went a little bit crazy and decided to buy 2 tons of white grapes and make my own wine. After all, that's what I knew deep down I was meant to do. And it's been what I've always wanted.

It was tricky to handle my own winemaking while I was working full-time as a winemaker for a medium-size winery. But I made it happen. It was so fun and stressful and challenging. Coordinating all the activities was really fun and honestly being able to taste the final product in November was truly amazing. I filtered and bottled the wine before I wanted to due to financial reasons, but hey, I had my own freaking wine! By the beginning of December, I got an email stating that my brand was now officially registered and I started sharing the wine with friends and family. Getting feedback from both acquaintances and unknown people has been truly rewarding and motivating.

All in all, I can say that the past two years have been extremely tough. That everytime I thought I had things figured out and that finally things would start working out for me, that's when s$%t happened. One step forward, two steps back. I've cried so much, I've been going to therapy for months, I've wanted to give up so many times I've lost count, I've felt so much fear I can't even begin to explain. But at the end of the day and looking back, I feel extremely proud of myself and I wouldn't change a single thing. I know better things are yet to come and this is only the beginning.

So cheers to me, to my project, and to all of you who want to follow your own dreams and passions!