Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director, Brooks Winery (Amity, Oregon, USA)

Years in Industry:
Seventeen, but my start in the industry was not intentional. My brother, Jimi Brooks, founded Brooks Winery in 1998. He set out to make Oregon Riesling great again, bring biodynamic farming to vines in the Willamette Valley and to craft high-acid food friendly wines with minimal intervention at accessible price points. He blazed a trail from the beginning. Sadly, in 2004, right before harvest, he passed away at the age of 38, leaving behind his eight year old son, Pascal.

The wine community saved Brooks when 12 producers got together and decided to take his fruit and make the Brooks wine for free in 2004 and I was asked to help run the business. I knew nothing about wine but within a very short time, I fell in love with the industry, the people, the passion, the ties to my brother, being back in my home state of Oregon and the challenge to continue his legacy until Pascal could decide what he wanted to do with it. So long story short, I have been volunteering my time to lead Brooks for almost 17 years, it is owned 100% by my nephew Pascal and our delicious wines have been under the care and craft of Chris Williams who has been with Brooks for 20 years.
 
I am proud that we have stayed true to Jimi’s founding philosophies and have grown the brand successfully with a home in the Eola Amity Hills. We raised the bar in hospitality when we opened our new building in 2014 offering table side service, multiple flight options, beer, cider, a full menu of food, a relaxed, comfortable space with some of the best views of the valley.
 
We are leaders in the social and environmental space as the only winery that we know of to be all three of the following: Demeter Certified for Biodynamics, a Member of 1% For The Planet and a Certified B Corporation.
 
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:

1. Giving myself grace. I set high expectations and often unrealistic deadlines for myself. I am also a mom and wife so I have a lot going on. I often prioritize everyone else over myself.

2. Consistency in diet and exercise. It is hard in our industry, when so much of the productive time is in a social setting, to eat well, exercise regularly and sleep well especially when traveling. COVID has made those things much easier and it makes me apprehensive about getting back on the road. I hope I employ a healthier balance as we reenter the world.

3. Organization and resting my mind: they go hand in hand. Email is overwhelming and I don’t have a good system to stay organized. Thus it is hard for my mind to be calm..too many wake ups in the middle of night remembering who I need to respond to. If anyone has advice, I would take it!

How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
I make sure no matter how busy I am, I do my best to surround myself with my family and friends whether it be for a meal or a hike.
 
I do exercise regularly--pilates, barre, strength training, hiking/walking and rowing.
 
I am constantly learning from people, from reading, taking it all in and applying it as it makes sense to my life and to work.
 
Networking. There are so many good people, good ideas, supportive people who share a passion for doing good in this world. I feel like there are many life long learners and cannot get enough!
 
COVID has been a good reminder to slow down--a great silver lining that I want to hang onto.
 
What Inspires Me:
Using business as a means to do good by people and purpose.
 
My family for not just tolerating how drastically I changed the course of our lives by getting into the wine industry but also being so supported by my husband and kids. I absolutely love watching my kids be their own people and watching them grow and see who they have become.
 
Connections to the people of Brooks--I learn so much and appreciate the sincere support and interaction. It is good people that make life worth living and I feel like I am surrounded by the very best people whether it be my team, the trade and industry folks and all of the amazing Brooks supporters! They all inspire me to work hard and make Brooks the best it can be.
 
Travel. There is so much to see and learn in the world. A constant reminder of just how small we are.
 
A Quote I Love:
“Peace! Bread! Land! Wine!" - Brooks Wine mantra
 
The best way to reach Janie is over email at janie@brookswine.com or by phone at 1.831.238.4828.