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Why Every Winemaker Needs To Travel First - Justin Ennis Pt. 2
•4:52

Why Every Winemaker Needs To Travel First - Justin Ennis Pt. 2

0:00 / 4:52

Tonight's Episode

Justin Ennis dives into the long tradition of international exchange programs in winemaking, where interns and foreign workers move between wineries to share techniques, equipment innovations, and processes that have developed differently across regions. He recalls starting in the cellar at eighteen years old, working alongside people from completely different countries, languages, and backgrounds, and how that experience opened his eyes to how much more there was to learn beyond what he'd seen at home. Justin challenges the assumption that American winemaking is automatically the best, pointing out that Old World regions like France have been refining their craft for centuries longer. He explains why harvest season, typically August through October, requires an expanded labor pool and round-the-clock monitoring of fermentations as fruit comes in at all hours. He also talks about why internships matter so much for young people entering the industry, giving them a low-stakes way to explore winemaking, vineyard work, hospitality, or sales before committing to one path, and how he now gets to pass that same mentorship forward at his own winery.

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Featured Guest

Key Takeaways

  • International exchange programs in winemaking allow interns and workers to share techniques, equipment innovations, and regional processes across different wineries and countries.
  • Justin Ennis began working in a cellar at eighteen years old alongside people from different countries and backgrounds, which expanded his understanding of winemaking beyond his home region.
  • Old World regions like France have been refining winemaking techniques for centuries longer than American regions, challenging the assumption that American winemaking is automatically superior.
  • Harvest season from August through October requires expanded labor pools and continuous monitoring of fermentations as fruit arrives at all hours.
  • Internships provide young people entering the wine industry with low-stakes opportunities to explore different career paths including cellar work, vineyard work, hospitality, or sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do wineries need international exchange programs?

They allow interns and workers to share techniques, equipment innovations, and processes that have developed differently across regions.

When is harvest season in winemaking?

Harvest season typically occurs from August through October.

What are the benefits of internships in the wine industry?

Internships give young people a low-stakes way to explore different career paths in winemaking, vineyard work, hospitality, or sales before committing to one path.

How long have Old World regions been refining winemaking?

Old World regions like France have been refining their craft for centuries longer than American regions.