David Paterson, General Manager Winemaker, Tantalus Vineyards (Canada)

Years in the industry: 
12 years. I began my winemaking career in 2007 with my first vintage at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson New Zealand. I have since done vintages in Oregon, Burgundy and Australia before landing my first full time winemaking job in 2009 at Tantalus Vineyards in the Okanagan Valley, and became the General Manager in 2015. Last year, my wife and I opened a brewery with some friends here in Kelowna and in the after hours, I work in the background as a business partner and advisor on that project.
 
My biggest challenge to wellness:
Mental wellness, time management and stress mitigation have been the biggest challenges to my overall wellness. The stress of running a company, as well as being responsible for the overall quality of the grapes and wine, while juggling family and other business ventures has affected my overall mental wellbeing in the past. Stress is a hell of a thing.
 
 How I keep it together to stay well:
Most recently, and most profoundly, I have found the benefits of yoga. I now practice hot yoga 3-4 times a week at Modo Yoga. There are some wonderful teachers there and a friendly community atmosphere. I have lost weight and no longer have lingering back issues, but most of all I have found that the 60-90 minute practice gives me mental clarity and inner peace I did not know I was missing until I tried it. I can go in stressed and come out with a solution to a problem that subtly popped into my head. I find that I am a calmer person in day-to-day life and more effective and efficient in my job because of the mental balance yoga brings to my life. 
 
I have learned to manage my time better and to truly not sweat the small stuff. I have a great team in place at the winery, which is also paramount. It gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my wife and daughter and I spend more time on the golf course which is a great mini holiday.

You can connect with David at david@tantalus.ca find him on Instagram at @dave_pats or at the Tantalus Vineyards website .