Liquid Love Letter: Winemaker Collaboration

Cathy

“The sum is greater than its parts.”

In my book, when it comes to wine, this is a YES, both in theory and in practice. In theory, “collaborations” in wine make all the sense in the world: one person’s strength (their “part” in winemaking, such as growing grapes) complements another person’s strength, whose “part” might be blending finished wines, for the grand sum of a compelling new offering.

Collaborations make sense in practice too. None of us can be expert-level at everything, so it makes sense to lean INTO our strength, and to lean ON a colleague or co-worker to bring their strength to bear.

This is Teamwork 101 for any business. But what Matthew and I are seeing in the wine world recently is exciting for its teamwork-outside-the-box, that is, collaborations between people and companies who could otherwise be seen as competitors. Rather than withdrawing into their own shells of well-worn ways of operating, it’s exciting to see them thinking differently and creatively, in new and innovative ways.

Challenging market conditions will do that for you: My “sum” is less than normal right now, and so is your “sum.” Together, though, we can add up to something greater.

Matthew homes in on a particular example this week below, but keep your eyes and ears open for wine world collaborations that are unexpected and greater than its parts: wineries experimenting with non-alcohol options, for example, or featured winemakers as part of “pop up” events in an until-now unfamiliar market, or wine pros revisiting their roots in the restaurant industry for a mutually beneficial injection of inspiration.

It may be a challenging time, commercially speaking, in wine right now. But that also makes it a time that’s ripe for collaboration and innovation. Enjoy it!

Matthew

Some of the most famous winemakers on the scene started in other facets of the industry and were taken under the wing of their heroes. Collaboration can help birth a career.

In times of tragedy, collaboration can rally the troops and accomplish unimaginable goals. Look back to 2004 when Jimi Brooks, owner/winemaker of Brooks Wines had a heart attack just before harvest. He left behind his 8 year old son Pascal who now owned the winery, and the local winemakers took it personally to make sure the vintage's work was carried out in both Jimi and Pascal's honor. Twelve wineries took on their fruit and made the wine for free to ensure Brooks could keep going. Its a story for the history books.

Well known in the Rhône, Alain Graillot found himself biking on holiday in Morocco and curiously wondered up on some Syrah vines. Being a Syrah master himself, it piqued his interest. Next thing you know, Alain, sons Maxime & Antoine, along with the team of Thalvin Winery were creating Syrocco: Syrah du Morocco. Alain passed away in 2022 and his sons continue his legacy in both France and Morocco.

This week I've been in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley getting to know the story behind a Collaboration wine that the region creates and bottles to fund initiatives, events, and movements within the special 3 mile x 1 mile valley within the valley. 15 wineries come together, bringing their best lots to the table...a rotating panel of 5 blending winemakers work in tandem to find a product truly bigger than the sum of its parts. This 15 point buck shows a cohesion existing in a neighborhood , that also happens to be one of the most respected wine regions on the planet.

These collaborations and many others allow winemakers to put differences aside, check the ego at the door, and accomplish great things working together with like-minded individuals. The sky is truly the limit when we work together.