The Wine Hustle Series | Nicole Marchesi, Winemaker, Far Niente Winery
Who knew that a writing assignment at a school newspaper on “the potential health benefits of wine and chocolate” would lead to becoming the fourth winemaker in a 30-year history at Far Niente Winery. Nicole Marchesi, woman winemaker at Far Niente Winery, takes us deep into her journey of passion, commitment and experience with true grace while also reflecting a bit on how she seamlessly balances work and motherhood.
Website: Far Niente | Instagram: @farnientewinery
How did you get your start in wine and what was your initial inspiration?
I actually entered UC Davis as a Biology student but two years in was feeling very lost in the crowd and unsure about what I actually wanted to do. I started trying all sorts of things, including a stint as a features writer for the school newspaper, The Aggie. One of my assignments was to write about the potential health benefits of wine and chocolate. I was able to interview several of the professors in the Viticulture and Enology department, and in the process learned that you could actually get a degree in winemaking. This intrigued me. I signed up for the intro class, promptly changed my major and never looked back. I was inspired by the use of science (which I love) in a way that could bring me outdoors as well as connecting with people. I couldn’t picture myself stuck in a lab and I was craving a creative outlet. Winemaking definitely offered that.
I love how you are a mom while still killing it in the wine world! What is your favorite part of your job and how do you manage to balance it all seamlessly?
Ha! I don’t know about seamlessly! Maybe it appears that way, but it’s certainly not easy. Honestly, there is no way I could do it without my awesome husband. We’ve figured out together how to support our kids and our careers by fully sharing the load. He’s the school drop off and pick up parent and I’m the bedtime and books one. Also, we know when to ask for help from our friends and families. It really does take a village to raise a kid! Regarding my favorite part of the job, I’ve come to realize over the years that I really love harvest. Hours can definitely be long but it’s exciting and busy and I totally thrive on that energy. I miss some stuff with my kids during that time but they do come with me to the winery on weekends sometimes; they love tasting grape juice! I also think it is important that they see me working and being committed to my responsibilities as a leader of a team.
“ “I felt a real connection not just because of the delicious Champagnes, but because I 100% understood how work life and family life can all get jumbled together and it’s totally okay. You can be great at your job and still take your kids to the doctor.””
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you? Do you have a “mantra” you stick to?
I have a few sticky notes with some little sayings on my desk that I read every day. One that I wrote down about 10 years ago (I think from a shared magazine article) is “Your job is greater than your assignment.” This helps me remember to look at the big picture and consider how our work in the cellar extends beyond just completing the task at hand. A recent one that I came across in a podcast interview with Jim Collins is “Never stifle a generous impulse.” I really love that one and am working on incorporating that in both my work and my home life. And to me this doesn’t just mean monetary generosity, it means being generous with my time, with my patience and my help.
At WINEFARER, we love hearing about the unexpected journeys that stem from wine. Can you share your favorite wine journey with us?
A few years ago my husband spent a few days in Champagne, and it was amazing. One of the days we took two e-bikes from the village of Avize down through several other villages to Vertus where we had a visit with the owner and winemaker of Larmandier-Bernier. The combination of the bike ride through beautiful countryside followed by an intimate tour and superb tasting made that experience pretty magical. On this same trip, we had a private visit at Marion-Bosser. They opened early just for us, and we first met with the winemaker/owner’s mother because she was running late. Turns out Elodie had been at the doctor with her baby boy getting a check-up. I felt a real connection not just because of the delicious Champagnes, but because I 100% understood how work life and family life can all get jumbled together and it's totally okay. You can be great at your job and still take your kids to the doctor.
It seems like you love wine as much as I do, in three words, describe your love affair with wine?
Curiosity, Community, Pleasure
Finally, what advice would you give women entrepreneurial spirits who want to start their “wine hustle” but are hesitant to take the leap?
Let your work speak for itself. As a woman, you often feel like you have to prove yourself. Instead, just put love into your work and do it well, and it will speak for you. With that in mind, don’t trade in your authenticity for approval. In other words, don’t change who you are based on how you think you are expected to act as a woman in winemaking. You don’t need to be “one of the guys” in order to make great wine and eventually lead as a winemaker.
