Reka Haros, Founder of Reframe Wine, and co-owner at Sfriso Winery (Veneto, Italy)

Years In Industry:
I got into the wine industry 18 years ago through inheritance when my father-in-law passed away. It was his hobby to grow grapes, make wine, and sell all in bulk. He had fun doing that, but it didn’t pay for the bills.

At the time, neither of us (my husband and I) worked in the industry, so we had a choice to make: sell the vineyards and the winery, or build a profitable business out of it. It has been quite a journey for both of us to learn, adapt, and become wine business owners in an industry that is unapologetically rude and harsh when you know nothing about wine. That was, however, our strength. We managed to think differently and unconventionally build our winery business.

Because I was coming from the FMCG marketing and advertising industries, my passion for marketing didn’t fade while building our winery business, so I started consulting in marketing strategy as a way to keep my brain active and up to date in modern marketing. With now 21 years of professional marketing background, I help wine businesses be more effective with their marketing.

My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
Prevention. Both of my grandmothers had leukemia. Diabetes and heart conditions with high cholesterol have also been part of my family’s health problems, so as a result, I have always been very conscious about prevention.

Time. As I get older, I become more conscious of how I prioritize my time. The time I spend with people, the time I spend alone, and the time I spend making sure I eat well, sleep well, and find a balance that is right for me. Time didn’t matter when I was younger, or when my daughters were smaller. I just never had the time. Today I consciously make time for what matters for my well-being, whether that’s a walk with my dog, giving my full attention to my teenage daughters, or just spending time alone. I prioritize my time based on what makes me feel better and more balanced, especially now with two teenage daughters; this balance is very important.

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
Prevention is vital for me. For example, I do a yearly full blood test including all the relevant cancer markers. I now have years’ worth of historical data about how and when my cholesterol went up, for example.

Nutrition. I went to a nutritionist to manage my high cholesterol levels while making sure I have a balanced diet. And yes, wine is part of this balanced diet. Eventually, it has become a habit, and no matter where I am, it’s part of my everyday choices. Whether at a restaurant in Paris, at a dive bar in California, or an osteria in Italy, I always find the right food for my balanced daily nutrition.

Sleep and mental/emotional health are also essential for me. I know how my body reacts when I am surrounded by toxic people or have to work in a toxic environment. I learned to walk away for my well-being. I also make sure to sleep enough, always, even when traveling. There is no excuse for overlooking the importance of sleep. It regenerates the body and the soul.

Making time for myself and my thoughts also allows me to find a better internal balance. I may look extroverted but I love being an introvert because that’s the mental space that brings me to a perfect balance. So I consciously make time for “me, myself, and I.”
 
You can connect with Reka on Instagram Twitter Facebook  and LinkedIn or online at  www.reframewine.com and SfrisoWinery.com