Reflecting on the quarter, I believe I have become much more knowledge about the industry. I could tell you about the five growths of Bordeaux, from Chateau Lafite Rothschild to Chateau Ponet-Canet. I could talk about the economics of running a winery, and what growth opportunities lie ahead. I could tell you about major trends in consumer behavior, and how that is impacting key players across the wine value chain. I could speak about brand stewardship - the challenges that premium wineries face expanding downmarket. Even my wine tastes have become much more nuanced. Trying high end bottles from leading winemakers can do that!
Above all, the passion of our guest speakers left an indelible impression on me. These were not normal executives coldly dissecting the nuanced dynamics of their industry. These were people who grew up fascinated by their family's winemaking heritage and wanted to carry on their legacy. Or people who loved wine so much they quit their white collar day job to focus on winemaking, or wine blogging. I previously cringed when winemakers were called "artists". Now I get it. Entering the field of winemaking can be very much like moving to Hollywood to be an actor or writer. It's high risk, and only the best make it. But this proves that many people in the industry didn't enter for the money. Their craft brings them incredible joy. It's about the journey, not the destination.
I'm looking forward to impressing (annoying?) my friends and family over break with my newfound appreciation for wine and admiration for all the winemakers, importers, critics, distributors, marketers, and investors we met with or learned about in class.
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