Sober Press Trips: Yes, It’s Possible. Here’s How.
My sober date is February 22, 2020.
It could have been earlier, but my 15-year career in beverage hospitality and writing compounded the general fear of getting sober. Thoughts and fears consumed me: no one would take me seriously, I’d get fired from gigs, and I grieved losing out on winery visits and travel. I was 33, alcohol defined my life, and I’d hit my proverbial rock bottom.
The pandemic provided a haven to retreat and sober up. I “tasted” over Zoom, and lockdowns sheltered me from having to explain my predicament. I’m grateful for that time, but now, almost two years of sobriety later, the world has opened up. Unfortunately, along with the collective sigh of relief, came the personal anxiety of truly facing how to keep this career and nurture my sobriety at the same time.
Before I took a full stop, I reached out to another industry professional who had been sober for 19 years. He refused to give me advice or a how-to guide; he told me I just needed to decide—what I needed for myself and go from there.
I now see why. Sobriety and moderation look different for everyone.
Sobriety in the hospitality industry is nuanced and we’re only beginning the discussions. Opinions vary about how to move forward. Some in sobriety programs will suggest a new career, while some in the industry are afraid to talk about abstinence. It’s forging ahead with something new, while staying mindful and also protecting our decisions about our own well-being.
I made that decision to stop drinking, and an incredible thing happened. I set boundaries to create a safe environment for myself. I asked myself what I wanted out of my career—what worked for me and what didn’t? I even still got invited on trips, and after asking if they were trips that made sense for my career, I said yes.
Since I became sober, I have visited wineries from Armenia to Texas Hill Country to Northern Arizona and came out on the other side still sober. Pre-trips, I was nervous. But when I returned home, I was incredibly grateful to be holding on to my sobriety while fostering relationships and becoming a better wine professional.
How do sober press trips actually work? Here are six practices that work for me.
Remembering that my relationship with alcohol is mine and mine only. I do not owe anyone an explanation, and no one needs to know how or why. (This took a lot of pep talks to remind myself that it’s no one else’s business.)
Checking in with myself before going into a tasting. Am I okay? Are there any triggers here? Am I feeling good or anxious? Can I identify support systems?
When I can, and when it’s comfortable to do so, I will let the trip leader know in advance that I’m not drinking at the moment, so they know that I’ll be asking for spit cups at dinner or that there’s no need to serve a pre-dinner cocktail.
Speaking of spit cups! Something is always available, and I will always ask, even at dinners. I have gotten strange looks or sometimes servers have bussed them by accident. But these incidents are survivable, and I can always ask for another.
Identify potential rough spots in the itinerary ahead of time and find other things to do that make you happy. Schedule a massage, grab a coffee at a local spot, go for a run, or use the hotel gym.
The fantastic upside to this is early non-hangover mornings to stretch, meditate, work out, or even see a local museum or two. Jet leg is much more manageable, and I spend the trip refreshed and remembering the day.
I was nervous about being sober on wine-focused press trips. But ultimately, and most importantly, I learned that this industry is full of more acceptance than we may realize. I found close colleagues pulling me aside to check in and offer support. Sometimes people are curious because they have questions themselves, or they’re worried about a family member, or they’ve noticed they’d like to change their own habits mindfully.
The sober journey has never been about pushing through or ripping my hair out. Over two years, I’ve gathered tools and acceptance of my relationship with alcohol. I play forward the tape that exists based on past experiences where indulging and not spitting will end up with me four bottles in, passed out, and hungover in the morning.
I don’t want to live there anymore.
Staying sober on wine trips is about doing what you have to do for yourself, and not feeling bad about it one bit. Those who don’t understand don’t need to know why or how. More often than not, you’ll find colleagues and friends that are supportive and caring. You may even inspire the health and well-being of others without even realizing it.
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Rachel DelRocco Terrazas is a Tucson, Arizona-based writer, editor, and copywriter. Her work includes writing on wine, spirits, and the intersection of beverage with wellness, sobriety, art, and culture. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Cava Ambassador and Educator with DO Cava. She is currently editor at Armenia-based Origins Magazine, and was formerly Associate Editor and Spirits Writer at Wine & Spirits Magazine and Editor-in-Chief at The Vintner Project. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook at @racheldelrocco
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
8 Steps Leaders Can Take to Support Employees with Burnout – Mindful Leader.com
By John J. Murphy (guest contributor) According to a recent Gallup study, 48% of American workers say they are actively looking for other job opportunities, and 74% of employees are experiencing some degree of burnout. Given these statistics what is a mindful leader to do, especially when so many factors seem out of control?
The Deep Dive: “Hyper-Customisation In Health and Wellness Has Become The New Luxury.” – LuxurySociety.com
When companies speak of DNA, they’re often referring to the marketing codes of a brand. But for Simone Gibertoni, Chief Executive Officer at Clinique La Prairie, the level of customisation that the award-winning medical spa provides actually involves looking at a client’s DNA to provide the highest level of customer care and experience.
Beware, workers are about to pivot with their feet – Australian Financial Review.com
The workplace is going through a Great Realignment because of the pandemic, which has made many employees rethink what their jobs mean to them.
How to fly long haul, stay safe from COVID and actually be comfortable - abc.net.au
As we dare to make travel plans, experts offer advice on how to assess the risk of COVID-19 and stay safe in the sky.
Our Session Replay is LIVE!
Did you miss last Monday's session on the survey results from,"Can Working in the Wine Business Be Good for You?" . Head over to the ABG website to watch the replay.
