After the death of my father I started taking a lot of international trips with my mother. Wine travel made sense because, well, duh it was my passion and what I did for a living. And, hey, wineries are generally in some pretty spectacular spots, full of interesting characters, and a source for many memorable meals.
Also, my mom is a very good sport and has a keen sense of adventure.
Our first jaunt outside the US was to Chile and Argentina. While in the latter country I had an epiphany about who I was as a son and a person. This realization, frankly, wasn’t a warm and fuzzy one, but rather more of a wake-up call. I needed to come to terms with what my relationship with my mother was before my dad died, what it was currently, and what it could be in the future.
I tell this story in the November issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. The link below will take you to the online version. It’s a very personal essay and I’m grateful I got to tell it in a forum where you wouldn’t expect to see feelings laid bare.
Growing Closer in Distant Vineyards
Photo is me and my mom at Nant Distilling Company in Tasmania, which I highly recommend you visit.
