Being grateful in 2020

Photo credit: JeannieBird Baking Company

According to the incorporation documents in the state of Maryland, Wide Roots, LLC was born almost exactly one year ago, on 27-December 2019 at 4:20 pm. And if you asked me then if it would look like it did today, I would have been…surprised.

A trip to Italy was planned, and relationships were built with winemakers. A trade war and a pandemic lurked in the background. The trade war, a story for another day and probably another platform, could have sunk Wide Roots before it even started.

Then, the pandemic arrived and forced a reckoning with perspective.

On Wednesday, 23-December, Wide Roots made its first sale. And this is really where my gratitude begins.

Rewind to nearly 8 years ago. I sat in a classroom, and it is no understatement to say that the instructor who walked into that classroom would alter the course of my life.

It was a wine appreciation course. And the instructor was Bernie Vogel, who would soon become a friend.

Bernie, a veteran of the wine industry, created a safe and engaging learning environment, making wine an approachable topic: he would emphasize that he was not a “connoisseur, but preferred to think of himself as an ‘enthusiast'”. He patiently explained things like the difference between Syrah and Petite Sirah. Enthusiastic he was, and it was contagious.

Since that class I have lived by his mantra, “pulling corks” and discovering the diversity and value of the wines of Europe. We would have many conversations over the years about good food and wine, and business, as he built JeannieBird Baking Company into a very successful staple of Westminster, MD and its Main Street, all the while never sacrificing the community feel that is so important to its vibe.

Then, 15 months ago, on the weekend I was “baking” the idea for Wide Roots, I texted Bernie to ask him about the barriers to entry to wine importing. I immediately got this answer: “Call me.”

Bernie, in his approachable and patient way, talked me through the potential hindrances to success, and what I should prepare for. I couldn’t help but wander if he thought I was out of my mind at that moment; to be honest, I wasn’t sure myself. After all, this was an idea I started cooking up at the corner bar one Friday night, probably after too much Chartreuse.

As I built Wide Roots, he would continue to school me in a different way, in the wine business, instead of wine itself. But all throughout, he was encouraging.

As we got closer to licensing, Bernie continually expressed interest in adding to the bottle shelf he had just installed at JeannieBird. He emphasized that he wanted to be our first customer.

So when the state granted our wholesale license, I was happy to deliver the wines of Audarya to JeannieBird Baking Company.

I can’t imagine a better or more appropriate first customer for Wide Roots. We would not exist if not for Bernie. Our mission and values are colored by his approach.

As we placed the bottles in the bakery, he proudly told his staff and his first customers that 8 years ago, I was a student in one of his classes, and on that morning, I was making my first sale as an importer/wholesaler. I was moved by the pride he took in telling that story.

So as we wind down 2020, I can’t adequately express my gratitude to Bernie. For his mentorship, and his friendship. And now, for his business.

Two other points of gratitude I want to express, neither of which would likely have happened without the events of 2020:

To our two team members, Staci and Lucretia. Wide Roots is no longer just mine. They are shaping and advancing the mission consistently, but in their own ways, and taking it to a place that I simply could not on my own.
To all of you, who read these posts and follow us on social media. I’m humbled every time I hear from someone who has read the blog posts, commented on social media posts, or asks how they can purchase wine. And I feel so fortunate to have built relationships through social media, people who have resonated with our mission and have supported us. I can’t wait to raise a glass with you, as the pandemic subsides.

In many ways, now that we are licensed, the real hard work begins. But I like where we are, and I like where we are headed.