You Don’t Know Unless You Try: Surprising Developments for ABG
This week Beck and I went outside our comfort zone, all the way to cannabis.
And it was really cool.
A Balanced Glass was invited as guests on an upcoming podcast hosted by Sonoma-based Garden Society, which produces chef-inspired confections with low-dose cannabis as an ingredient.
We weren’t there for the cannabis per se (though their chocolates ARE gorgeous…), and going into it, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. But we know and respect Erin Gore and Karli Warner from our shared experiences in wine, and we were game to explore the topic of wellness from the perspective of the sister industry (can we call it that yet?) of cannabis.
Here’s what we found: when it comes to wellness, whether in wine and spirits or cannabis and edibles, there is an earnest desire for mindfulness and awareness. That’s true in our work, and it’s especially true when it comes to integrating wellness throughout our lives.
We want to be happy. We want to be healthy. We want to be compassionate, and contribute positively to our families, our businesses, and our communities at large.
So, from the Casually Baked recording studio in Oakland, Beck spoke about you – our Tribe – and the various and individual ways you intentionally seek to do that. Erin and Karli spoke about their partnership in the entrepreneurship journey, and being new moms, and the distance between the good they know meditation does, and the day-to-day practicalities of actually making it happen.
I’d dialed in from Atlanta, and spoke about finding motivation to meditate. There’s a deep well of quiet and wisdom inside each of us, that’s reachable and available any time we choose. I meditate in order to hang out there, sometimes as a refuge and sometimes to listen for new ideas or guidance. When I don’t, I feel a sad loneliness that’s on par with a too-long lack of human touch.
Did Erin and Karli, and their Garden Society community, relate to these messages from the wine world of A Balanced Glass? You bet. Because there’s nothing industry-specific about wellness, or self-care, or wanting to do good in our lives.
That was Beck’s intention when she started A Balanced Glass. She didn’t know then what it would be exactly, but she knew to try.
So together we do that. Every day and every week, we work on showing up and doing our best. And we have been hearing, more and more all the time, the chord it strikes and the reverberations it sends out. Because being mindful and aware, and wanting to show up and be fully present in every part of our lives, isn’t limited to an industry or a specific community.
This week we hope you’ll send something out – to the community, or to your family, or maybe within the walls of your office. Let it be about wellness and happiness and compassion. Let it come from your heart.
Then look for the reverberations, even if it’s something only you can see. It’s worth doing. We promise.
Namaste,
Cathy
Meet the Tribe!
Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Karen Brennan
PR Director, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits (USA)
Years in the Industry:
I joined Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits six years ago. Prior to that I was on the PR agency side in both Chicago and New York City working on various clients in the spirits, food and CPG space. I truly have my dream job.
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
Wellness is an incredibly important part of my life, but like most people in our industry I have to balance it with a busy schedule that includes frequent travel and lots of events and wine dinners, especially in the evenings. I find that planning ahead is critical. This way I’m way less inclined to get distracted (or tempted!) by things that will compromise my commitment to wellness.
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
Getting a Vitamix two years ago was a game-changer. I blend a fresh juice with all organic ingredients. I typically make it the night before and store in a large Mason jar so I can grab and go in the morning.
I try to make it to the gym at least three mornings a week. I feel lucky to work for a company that cares about wellness – there’s even a gym in our building.
I love to cook, and I try to follow a mostly Paleo diet. I also love the Headspace app which is great when traveling, and I am a big fan of essential oils – diffusing lavender at night guarantees a good night’s sleep for me.
I love traveling and exploring wine with my husband (also a wine connoisseur) and spending time with my two daughters Ashleigh and Grace.
My happy place? You’ll find me on the mountain top at Kunde Family Winery (one of our brands) enjoying a glass, taking in the incredible views and remembering why I do what I do.
You can follow Karen on Instagram at @kbrennanwine or FaceBook at Karen Davis Brennan
What We’re Reading:
There's no shortage of wine stories and media inundating our IN Boxes. Here's what has piqued our interest this week.
Kitchen Consequential – Karen Brooks for Portland Monthly
Drugs and booze nearly gutted a generation of Portland’s best chefs. Now they’re setting the table for sober kitchen culture.
The Dual-Purpose Playbook – HBR.org
Corporations are being pushed to change—to dial down their single-minded pursuit of financial gain and pay closer attention to their impact on employees, customers, communities, and the environment.
Let’s Meet Up!
As work life has it, we are traveling over the next few months and would love to see you.
Presenter at Wonder Women of Wine in Austin, March 2 and 3 (Cathy)
Presenter at the British Columbia Wine Insight Conference, March 12 (Cathy)
Presenter at the International Institute for Analytics conference in Portland, March 13 (Cathy)
Speaker at Women in Wine - The Bâtonnage Discussion Series, in Oakland, March 17 (Rebecca)
Attendee at ProWein in Düsseldorf, March 17 to 19 (Cathy)
Guest lecturer at the University of Bologna, April 2 to 4 (Cathy)
Attendees at Vinitaly in Verona, April 7 – 10 (Rebecca and Cathy)
Presenter at the London Wine Fair, May 20 to 22 (Cathy)
Attendee at MUST: Fermenting Ideas in Cascais, Portugal, June 26 to 28 (Cathy)
Attendee at Fine Minds 4 Fine Wines in Bordeaux, July 4 to 6 (Cathy)
Drop a line to rebecca@abalancedglass.com or cathy@enolytics.com if you are interested in getting together for practice, a chat or a great glass together.
