My journey into the wine business has been interesting, and full of twists and turns. And one of the most interesting twists happened last year.
I had the unique opportunity to tell my story to Chrisa Giorgi, the award-winning documentary filmmaker behind Wine Cellar Stories. Chrisa chronicled how I decided to give up a career in corporate America and pursue a passion, following me from Baltimore to the Italian Alps, Sardegna, and Marche, and back. She paints a behind-the-scenes picture of wine importing and wholesaling, showing everything from building relationships with winemakers, tasting with clients, breaking down ocean freight containers, and making deliveries out of my CX-5.
While the film, titled Wine Hunter, is not yet complete, it is remarkable how she managed to capture the passion of the people behind the wine in our glasses.
To bring the film to the public, Chrisa is raising money to complete the film, submit it to festivals, and ultimately pick up distribution (i.e. Netflix, Amazon, PBS, and other channels). Wide Roots and I have no financial interest in the fundraiser or the documentary, other than through the exposure we gain.
The Indiegogo campaign offers several donation levels, with rewards at each level that include T-shirts, video “thank you’s” from Chrisa and me, dinner in a fine Italian establishment, and a trip to Italy and executive producer credits at the highest levels.
I’m humbled that Chrisa chose to document my journey, and very impressed with the story she put together, and its reflection of the wine business, my reasons for launching Wide Roots, and even my personality.
Please consider donating to her campaign to bring Wine Hunter to the masses.
And without further ado…the trailer.