Jeremy Carter, Tarpon Cellars

Image credit: Emma K. Morris

Title:, Winemaker at Tarpon Cellars and Yoga Teacher

Location: Charleston, South Carolina and Napa Valley, California 

Years in the Industry:
It has been 15 years now, which is still unbelievable to me!  But I moved to Napa right after college for a production internship and knew within the first few days that I wanted to pursue a career in winemaking. I worked in production for other wineries in California and New Zealand for about ten years before starting our brand in 2017, and most days I still feel like I am learning something new about the sales, marketing, and distribution side of the business.
 
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:

It’s interesting to me how this has remained somewhat steadfast over the years even as my role in the industry has evolved. When I was working in the lab or the cellar, it was very hard to be kind to my body. Aside from heavy lifting and physical exertion on my feet all day, it was tough to find time for the gym or a yoga class when I was at the winery from 6am to 6pm, especially during harvest or bottling. These days I spend quite a lot of time on the road and work many weekends as well. It’s difficult to stick to a healthy version of a plant-based diet while traveling, and perhaps more challenging to keep a morning routine after being out late for a wine dinner, and having emails that I need to respond to before I start the next day.

All that being said, I think the three main challenges for me have always been and continue to be: what I eat or drink, how I move, and how I think. I know that I ultimately control all of those things, and I am constantly exploring new tools or habits that can help me.  But as someone who has always had a hard time with mental health, I find that when I am struggling, it’s usually because I am not giving enough attention to one of those three things.

How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
I think the thing I am most proud of over the last few years is learning to show myself the same kindness or softness that I would give to others if they were asking me for advice. There was a time a few years ago when it was quite easy to manage exactly what I was eating, what time I went to bed, and how many days I was able to swim laps or go to a yoga class. That is not the season of life that I am in right now, and while I am taking steps to achieve more long-term balance, being ok with where I am now is probably the most important thing that I have learned recently.

Aside from that, I really have found that a morning routine is so important to my day after many years of refusing to be a morning person. I can’t always control my entire day, but I can control the first 20-30 minutes I am awake and it really just sets the tone for everything that comes afterwards. I try to start with a lemon water or tea, and some light yoga or even just breathwork and meditation, followed by a few minutes of journaling, reading a book, or playing the piano if I am home. I am less regimented in sticking to the same routine every day, but knowing that I am taking the first 30 minutes for myself is just a better adjustment for me than diving into emails or even reading the news.
 
What Inspires Me:
I take inspiration from so many people, from musicians to chefs to oyster farmers to social activists. I tend to be drawn to others who strive to bring people together, and I admire the ones who have found their own way to do that, whether it’s building community, helping others, or simply creating something beautiful. It’s funny to me now that for years I was up at night obsessed with trying to figure out how to make the best wines possible. I learned a lot, but I am much more concerned with trying to leave the world a better place at this point in my life. When I see others who feel the same way and take active steps achieve those things, that is what gives me hope.
 
A Quote I Love:
“Be Here Now” - Ram Dass. It’s so simple and yet has become a mantra for me that I think about daily. I spent so much of my youth worrying about the past or fretting for the future.  And now I spend a lot of my days running from meetings to wine dinners or from the vineyard to the winery. But being able to pause and enjoy this very beautiful life that I have somehow created is so important and something that I try to do every day.
 
Find Jeremy’s music and wine pairings here, and find the Tarpon Cellars Yoga Flow on Spotify. You can also connect through Tarpon’s website.