My new Merryvale adventure

During my several months of unemployment, I was debating whether to stay in wine or branch out to the "green" jobs becoming so prevalent in this area. My head was telling me to do something that would be transferable to other parts of the country in case Marc and I moved. But my heart (and my mouth) told me wiiiiiiine. Even after trying to network at green events, going to green job fairs, and going to green information sessions, the only interviews I got were in the wine industry. I interviewed at a company in which I'd be a technical rep, talking with clients and feeling out their needs. It would be a departure from what I was used to, but they seemed to like me and would pave the way to becoming a wine consultant.

After that first interview, Merryvale called to offer me an interview for their Starmont facility. I went up to Napa and met with the assistant winemaker and the cellar master. We seemed to really hit it off and they showed me around the gorgeous facility. This particular job really appealed to me because Merryvale's Starmont facility is a green facility, complete with solar panels, water recycling, energy efficient lighting, efficient insulation, etc. The best of both worlds! Also, it is absolutely gorgeous. I get to drive through the grape wines on the way down Stanly Lane, lavender and white roses surround the winery, and Napa actually feels like summer.

View of some of the grape vines from the parking lot

Some grapes on the side of the building

My favorite lavender!

Right now we're doing bottling, so I'm just doing a lot of QC lab work for that. Behold, my lab! So big. So new. So pretty.

White wine production for dummies (and lab techs). Hey...

All and all, a good start to a good job. I'm currently working Mon-Thurs, 7AM-5:30PM. I have to be up at 5 to get to Napa from San Mateo, but I'll only be doing that for 4 more work days then I'm moving up closer to Napa. Once September rolls around, I'll be there up to 6 days a week for up to 12 hours a day. Much more hardcore than Rosenblum. Let the harvest begin!