Taking a New Journey through Wine

Over the last several years I've met some really great people in the wine business but none are any better than Pete and Cathy Seghesio. As some of you may know, after more than 100 years the Seghesio family sold their company to the Crimson Wine Group.

I wrote about that in one of my other blog posts called Musings on Engagement from 35,000 Feet.  Since that time the Seghesio family continues to be involved in the business. And for Pete and Cathy, they've added a few other ventures (adventures) to their lives.

Just this month, they've launched a new wine company:  Journeyman Wine.  A journeyman is someone who is learning a craft and is between apprentice and master.  In fact, you could say that many of the people for whom the Hands of Time wine I posted earlier this week were journeymen, too.

But this adventure began as a way for Pete to pass along the family business to his sons, Joe and Will.  Last summer during my visit for the 9th Annual BBQ and Zin event hosted by Seghesio I was blown away by an invitation to join Pete and Cathy at their home for a pre-event party.  It was during that visit that I had a tour of the new winery by one of the journeymen in this project, Joe.

He did a great job of explaining the process that they went through in creating their first wine, a chardonnay. But more than just a tour, we had an opportunity to taste the wine. It was delicious. It was an incredible evening with the family. Now the winery is no more than a stairway from the living areas. With some encouragement from Rachel Anne's, Pete and Cathy built the winery in their basement.  

Now if you don't know Seghesio Family Vineyards, you may not know that they don't make a chardonnay. What's even more interesting is that Pete's cousin, Ted, is the winemaker not Pete.  He's a winegrower. 

One of the things I've noticed in my trips out to wine country is how well the various vineyards work to not just increase their business but the business of all of the wineries in the area. They may be competitors but they're friends, too. And over the years, Pete has developed great relationships with winegrowers all over the region.

I love what Pete and Cathy put on their website regarding why they started this project.

Our Journeyman Project was envisioned with the belief that two of the best gifts we can offer our children are family traditions and the opportunity to learn from wise mentors. We are so grateful to our amazing friends and colleagues who didn't hesitate to become involved. They shared their skills, their vineyards, their wealth of experience and even a few treasured secrets. Without even realizing it, they taught us lessons of generosity and character that will last a lifetime.

 What a powerful experience. I'd really encourage you to go visit the Journeyman Wine website and work your way through it. There are lots of great photos and information all the way through it. And you'll have an opportunity to sign up for information on ordering the wine.

Personally, I can't wait to not only try this wine but to watch as Pete, Cathy, Joe and Will deliver new experiences and new wines year after year.