Just over a year ago I decided to leave behind my professional past in investment banking and get involved with wines on a full-time basis. I took the plunge into this adventure in the first weeks of January 2009.
Looking back at this year, I can honestly say that this has been the most fulfilling working year I have ever experienced. The work involved has been fun and exciting and I am proud of what I have achieved so far. But what made the real difference during these months, what really touched me, what I found most satisfying, what I have enjoyed most, is connecting with so many people in so many ways!
I met with winemakers and built up personal relationships with them, to the point that I would call many of them my friends. Wine merchants opened my eyes to their needs. Wine critics became interested and listened up. Some twitter contacts became personal acquaintances. Other twitter contacts feel like I know them in person. Finally, the readers of this blog have made it what it is, as I was responding to what they read, their preferences, their comments, their likes and dislikes.
I wish to thank every single one of you – I am honoured to have connected with you.
Great work with you first year out on your own! I am about to do a similar thing in 2010 and it is a bit scary… Heres to an every better 2010!
Chris, cheers – I wish you all the best with your venture, don’t let it ever scare you off.
Markus,
Your perspective is a breath of fresh air. You focus, you learn, and then you teach; things that are sorely lacking in the self-appointment game.
Thomas, thank you so much for your truly kind words. I am grateful to have such a wonderful readership. You have supported me early in the game, I do not take this for granted.
Markus,
You are doing a great job, my only regret is that we didn’t connect soon enough to meet in person when I visited in April/May! All the best in the New Year and, as always, let me know if I can be of help.
Best,
Jason
Markus, I echo Thomas’s sentiments as your approach and presentation really is a breath of fresh air from other Greek Wine websites and blogs. As a non Greek who lives here and who is on the inside as it were of the Greek wine industry you have a unique perspective free of the prejudices, hyperbole and egotism that i find in some sectors. It is I who thank you for your efforts.Reading and interacting on your blog is such pleasure. As a Greek (although foreign born) I thank you for your untiring efforts to assist and improve the world status of Greek wine. I know you would be the last to admit this but I truly believe that without you, the great scores received from Germany and the US would have been years away (if at all). Vielen Dank. All the best for 2010!
Jason, I really appreciate your “thumbs up”! I would love to meet you in person. Back in April/beginning May when you were visiting, I was not even on twitter. I hope that your travels will bring you back to Greece – it would be fantastic to visit some winemakers with you, and simply to have a good time!
Kosta, thank you very much for your kind words, and for all your contributions! I simply do what I love. As to prejudices, hyperbole and egotism – I find fulfillment through these pages, and hope to always stay clear of those traits.
Thank you, Markus, I feel the same way… I’d love to meet in person one day and have you introduce me to some fabulous Greek wines! For now, all the best with your business and do continue with your great posts.
Lindsay, I would love to. Thank you for your good wishes and I hope you still enjoy Bordeaux. You must have learned so much over the last few months, I always love reading your posts. They give a fresh insight to an old world.
So, when I’m officially laidoff in 1 year, can I call you?
:-)
Only dreaming of your ability to reach so many readers, you can call anytime :)
Markus hi!
I have recently discovered your blog and for the past couple of days I am tempted to write to you.
I think that leaving a comment for this (older) posting of yours is the best way. Your life sail changing is inspiring and at the same time original and timely. It’s about time someone conveyed the Greek wine message abroad (reminds you of the state of Greek policies) – The German-Greek wine network (crisis or not) is a fantastic idea!
But let me take a few lines to introduce myself too!
I am having severe symptoms of the wine flu for the past 5 years. I do not have any wine training or wine education and I really doubt that my nose and palate are functioning at the level I would like them to. The driver is love I guess!
After my return to Greece in 2001 and a subsequent failure to incorporate into the Greek reality I have set sails again to places unknown…
So, as of 2009 I am living and working in Helsinki Finland where the wine culture is very interesting in many aspects… Would it be the state monopoly on alcohol, would it be the emerging interest of Finns on wines?
Anyway, thanks for reading that. I would definitely appreciate to stay in touch with you. I think that Finland is a place of opportunity for the Greek wines – it would be nice to talk some more.
Cheers,
Stamatis
Stamati, thank you so much for making contact, Finland is a very interesting place indeed. I agree, interest in wines is booming in the Nordic countries. Email me anytime mstolz at elloinos.com!