Crazy, fun, hectic, a little exhausting, sometimes painful and maybe even a little embarrassing. Worth every single moment.

Today was my last day as an employee at Sones Cellars. It’s is the end of an era. I have poured, sipped, blended, savored, punched down, picked grapes. I have stood on the bottling line, behind the bar and at countless events since January 2011. It’s the longest I have ever held a single job.

And it has defined my goals, dreams and my latest course of adventure. Without the Sones Family and the Sones Cellars Family – I would have never considered applying to the Bordeaux International Wine Institute and I wouldn’t be leaving the country in 10 days.

So today – despite the nostalgia and a bit of sadness – we celebrated. With wine-glass margaritas (because what else could be better on a hot Saturday evening), chips and home made salsa and guac, good friends and a lot of laughter. Followed by a delicious dinner at my favorite Santa Cruz Italian eatery – and a Sones Cellars Team tradition – Tramonti.

To all of the friends I have made over the past 30-some-odd-months:  Thanks for sharing the journey! You will be missed.