It was announced that Chateau Montelena sold this week to a French capitalist who also owns Cos D' Estournel. Believe it or not, even I had heard it was for sale, but now the rumors have been confirmed. Winery ownership transition has been a hot topic lately, particularly the potential for much of it to happen over the next decade as the current generation of ownership ages and deals with succession planning. Montelena is only the latest iconic family winery that has sold, and it makes sense that there will be more. Because I run a winery that has been owned by one family for 150 years, I end up being asked often to reflect on what makes this place work. Here is a little of what I think, even if I don't alway say it:
Luck: Even though I do believe that you truly influence your own, time and time again luck (or fate, chance, or whatever you choose to call it), has played a significant role.
Common Lifestyle Aspirations: Lifestyle is a term that is bandied about a lot in the context of wine and wine country living. For us, lifestyle is a love of living our vineyard and winery in all aspects of its current operation, as opposed to something independent that is afforded by means of what they provide. This has been consistent throughout generations, and, because it trumps material gains in almost every case, provides a unique approach to running the business. It happens to be an approach that fosters generational continuity.
Flexibility: This is a biggie. There is very little rigidity in how this business is portrayed from one generation to another. That is to say that it is almost bred into us that the only successful career is one that fulfills one's needs, desires, and values, and that our wine business can and will evolve to accommodate those of incoming generations.
Strong Ego-less Leadership: Okay, not exactly ego-less, but with less ego than is common among leaders. Family leaders here have always embraced youth and newness (not always the same thing) and the vigor that comes with them, and have never shied away from the fact that with it almost always comes change.
Humor: I think most here would say that this is the most important element: To find the humor in any situation. Heaven knows that like any family anywhere we have had plenty to cry about. But looking at the petals instead of the thorns has always been our way. Sounds cliche, I know, but it is true.
Authenticity: Another catch word, but one that is important to us. Rhinefarm has always reflected the people who run it and whatever it is that they value. That all 6 generations, each with their unique circumstance, have consistently valued Rhinefarm so highly is really a matter of, um, luck.
On another note, Sonoma Valley neighbor Bob Kunde died this week. He was a few generations ahead of me and I did not know him. What I do know is that he sheparded one of Sonoma's most stunning properties and strongest wine families for decades. Not a bad epitaph. Our thoughts are with the Kunde family.
