Why I'm taking this class

In vino (mea) veritas (est)

I want to learn more about wine because it weaves through the most important areas of my life. I appreciate it because it touches memories of family, leaving home, and growing up.

I grew up with wine being prominent in my family, though I didn't drink it. My fondest early family memories are of my parents and me sitting together around the table, eating pasta, my parents drinking wine and convincing me to try some (but only a sip). When I smell red wine, I'm taken back to those moments and the warmth and laughter that came with them.

When I first came to the US from Serbia for college, I was assigned two of the most wonderful people in the world as my host parents; these people, who were meant to show me how to do laundry and drive me to Walmart, suddenly became my second family. It is through them and their ability to enjoy life (e.g. by organizing a country-themed nights with regional wines) that I got introduced to alcohol. Because of them, wine became a symbol of enjoyment for me and a way to love life.

When I graduated college and started working, wine became something "adult", something to be appreciated. I watched many episodes of Gary Vaynerchuk in his WineLibraryTV videos, to engross myself in what I think is one of the few life staples that requires true craftsmanship. Enjoying wine gave me permission to be curious about a topic that isn't career-related -- it was something I could value for its own sake.

While I am sure that there are many valuable business lessons to be learned in the class, that I will pragmatically get a lot out of the class, that wasn't why I took it. I took it because it's part of my truth.