Professional winemakers who came from other careers

In as much as it is known, have there ever been surveys taken to determine what previous careers were held by winemakers who got into professional winemaking later in life - that is to say, winemakers for whom enology was not their first profession? Anecdotal evidence seems to run the gamut of careers - lawyers, doctors, mechanics, woodworkers (no allusions to oak intended), etc. But among these, is there any identifiable trend? Do people in the trades tend to take up enology as a second career more than other professions, for example? It would seem to me that lawyers seem to start a lot of winery enterprises - but do they become the chief winemakers as a rule, or do they remain the CEOs of their operations?

Just some random questions that might make for an interesting discussion ... and if surveys have indeed been done, it would make for interesting discussion as to why things are the way they are.

I know two Professional Winemakers personally. One worked for 30 years on the assembly line at a GM plant. The other was an engineer.

Very likely Paul in their “previous life” they were very passionate about wine or home winemaking, or just wanted to get back “in touch” with their family “roots”.

Salute

Very likely Paul in their “previous life” they were very passionate about wine or home winemaking, or just wanted to get back “in touch” with their family “roots”.

Salute

That's what happened to me. I was a storyboard designer and script writer who made wine at home. After doing some work producing programs for the visitor centers of wineries in California, and after a day spent with the then president of Beaulieu Vineyards, Leigh Knowles, I decided to move into the wine business.

[Robin Garr]

In a couple of fairly well known California "gee whiz" stories, Rod Strong was a very serious professional ballet dancer (danced with the Joffrey, I believe), and Cecil DeLoach was a fire fighter on the San Francisco fire department.

In the US, at least, it seems that relatively few wine makers started out that way.

Cecil DeLoach was a fire fighter on the San Francisco fire department..

Is that Hook and Ladder? Know there's some firefighter connection there.

Not sure there is any 'usual' path to get into this business, especially on the winemaking side. I was in the publishing industry, marketing and selling both pop-up and educational products for a number of years. I have always felt that if you were not happy and challenged by what you do for a living, you should probably consider changing things up . . . And luckily I have a saint for a wife who 'suggested' this industry, and specifically getting a degree in Enology and Viticulture, knowing my interest in the winemaking process. Glad she did - it's a great industry and wonderful people are all around - on both the producer and consumer side! Cheers!

Is that Hook and Ladder? Know there's some firefighter connection there.

Dale,
Cecil used to own and make the wine at the DeLoach winery. Someone (I don't remember who) bought the winery and the name in 2003. By 2004 (I believe) Cecil was back in business under the Hook and Ladder name.

Is that Hook and Ladder? Know there's some firefighter connection there.

Dale,
Cecil used to own and make the wine at the DeLoach winery. Someone (I don't remember who) bought the winery and the name in 2003. By 2004 (I believe) Cecil was back in business under the Hook and Ladder name.

The DeLoach name and winery were purchased by Boisset from a bankruptcy court, who turned the tasting room into a rather swank operation:

http://www.boissetamerica.com/press/Pre ... 40914.aspx