Justine Osilla, Kabayan Wines

Job Title: Winemaker + Owner
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

My Background:
I’ve been working in wine for almost 10 years. I grew up with wine on the table, frequented Napa Valley and Paso Robles, and started developing a palate at age 16. After originally pursing a medical profession, I explored this interest in wine.
Through WSET, I discovered the art of winemaking and how heavily integrated chemistry is in the process. I studied Enology at Fresno State while getting hands on experience. My experience covers vineyard, winemaking/harvest internships, hospitality, cellar work, lab/phenolics research, social media marketing/management, wholesale, restaurant wine buying, and customer care.

What are the top three challenges to maintaining your well-being in your work?
There are challenges year round, but the most stressful and rewarding time of year is harvest season. The top challenges are managing stress, getting sufficient amount of sleep, and if the job requires more time at the desk then it’s difficult to stay active. 
Every producer is at the whim of nature, but as a boutique producer there are unique challenges when you don’t own the space for production, are short of resources, and do not make pick date decisions. From my experience harvest doesn’t always go as planned and that can be pretty stressful. Overplanning and flexibility to pivot is what helps in making the best wine possible.
Harvest season hours are pretty long. They can be 15-19 hour days, 6 days a week. After a few weeks, the lack of sleep catches up to you so imagine a few months. This is why it’s so important to work for a company that values your hard work during this season.
My last position as an enologist required I spend a lot of time behind the desk and in the lab rather than the cellar. I’m definitely the kind of person who prefers being hands on in the winemaking process. The lack of physical activity left me stress eating at my desk.

What are 3 things you do (or try to do) to maintain your well-being?
Outside of busy season, I do pretty well to stay active (I enjoy hot yoga, pole fitness, and hiking). I also value my time away from a screen and stay present with the friends and family around me. The most important thing I do for myself is to take time for myself to do the things I love. It can be a solo trip to the beach, eat at my favorite restaurant, a night in with skincare and a bubble bath, or sometimes I even fancy a midday nap.

What other beverages do you drink when you're not drinking alcohol?
Big matcha girlie! I also love all kinds of tea, NA cocktails, green smoothies, and liquid IV.

What would people be surprised to know about you? 
Not a lot of people know I used to teach piano. I taught for five years, and it helped me pay for college.
I also sang in choir throughout middle school and high school. When I was 17, I got accepted to a music program and had the opportunity to sing in Carnegie Hall.
I love to draw and paint - I’ve taken art classes in college and in the Philippines. I’m an artist at heart, so that's part of why I love winemaking so much - wine is an art.

What are you looking forward to?
Kabayan wines has grown six-times in production from the first vintage to second. I’m looking forward to how much Kabayan Wines grows as a whole this year!

What's your weirdest wellness hack?
Don’t know if it’s weird, but alone time is important to me, and I love taking myself on solo dates.
Sometimes it's a trip to the coast laying on the beach, going to art galleries, and eating cheese. Other times it's taking myself to a restaurant I’ve always wanted to try.

What inspires you on your journey in the beverage industry?
Kindness within my community, experiences from my culture, learning from my mentors, and creating something that connects with people.

What is a quote that you love?
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

You can connect with Justine on Instagram at @kabayanwines and @justlikejustine