Ray Sholes, La Fête Wine Co.

Job Title: Brand Development Manager
Location: Miami, Florida

My Background:
I am a hospitality professional with over two decades of experience ranging from operations, training, and beverage. The last 7 years of my career have been focused on wine (seriously). I say seriously because I got into it to just make more money and then it snowballed and got serious about studying. I have worked mostly on premise and at great restaurants: one of the biggest corporate entities and also mom and pop establishments. I have also worked in the duty-free space for the oldest and largest ship chandler (we supplied the booze to the cruise industry). I am now on the supply side where I represent La Fête Wines in the state of Florida.

What are the top three challenges to maintaining your well-being in your work? 
1. Time - On-premise made me accept that I had to dedicate my days to the operations and as a young professional trying to make it to the next level I gave up most of my life to achieve my goals. Given my past it is easy for me to fall out of balance.

2. Consumption - For a lot of people this would be over consumption for me it is the opposite. I am constantly surrounded by alcohol - mostly watching others taste the wines I represent. Once I get home I jump from my role at work to my role at home Ray the Dad and Husband Son of Cassandra & Phil The Great descendent of the enslaved and the native leader of the Sholes Clan. (Yes you have to say the whole thing) (just kidding). I have a full bar at home as well as a pretty decent wine inventory spread over most of the wine making world with over 200 selections, but the problem is I am too tired to really appreciate a bottle at the end of the day. The under consumption gives me anxiety as I am not practicing the craft the way I should.

3. Social Battery - I have always been one to hold a conversation and exchange with anyone. I still can but just like an older phone my social battery gets depleted after a long day or overuse, I don't remember that being a thing when I was in my young 20's. I tend to want to spend more time in intimate groups that have the same agenda as myself.

What are 3 things you do to maintain your well-being?
1. Time: I plan and also try to involve my family where I can to create more balance. I also take dedicated time with each kid weekly as well as for myself. Date night is a non-negotiable every week as well.

2. Consumption: attending festivals, industry tastings and events, conferences etc. These types of events give me time away from family and work so I can work on my personal development and at very least measure where I am currently and where I feel I want to go next.

3. Social Battery: I am still not sure what I am doing with this, if anyone has some advice or stories I would love to hear from you!

What do you drink when you're not drinking alcohol?
So people always ask me what I drink when I am at home and I tell them the truth I drink San Pellegrino and Cranberry Juice. I like the variety pack with Cran-apple and Cran-grape so I can switch it up a little bit.

What would people be surprised to know about you? 
If you have seen me you would say man this guy looks like a football player he is huge. I do not workout nearly as much as people would think. I haven't been in the gym in months.

What are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to Trinidad Carnival it is a festive celebration and the country, the people, the food, the music transport me to a simple life or maybe a previous life.

What's your weirdest wellness hack?
People watching and using food as medicine!

What inspires you on your journey in the beverage industry?
PRP - Peers, Reflection, Problems! I love to see what my peers are doing and it usually drives me to do more. I reflect and see where I came from and where I am from and I just hear DJ Khaled (Another One, Keep Going). Problems - I am a problem solver. It's like a puzzle that I get sucked into and the solution provides that feeling of completion. 

What is a quote that you love?
"Dreams without goals are just dreams and ultimately they fuel disappointments." ~ Denzel Washington

You can connect with Ray on @theroyalvines on Instagram Facebook and at theroyalvines.com