Patience, a level head, a sense of humor and a lot of grit: winemaking and fatherhood require a surprisingly similar set of skills. We asked some of the Willamette Valley's winemaker dads for their stories and advice.

We also love this 2022 interview with even more of our winemaker dads.

JOSH McDANIELS
Winemaker  -  Bledsoe | McDaniels

How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?

I first started making wine when I was 16 years old and started my own winery. Luckily, I also wasn’t a Dad at that time or it would have been even more challenging! I have been a Dad for 7 years now- my Daughter, Alex, was born in 2016.

Does your son or daughter help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping he or she takes an interest in following in your footsteps?

There is definitely a part of me that wants to see them in the wine industry but an even larger part that wants them to follow what really makes them happy. If anything, they will certainly understand what good wine is and have a background to enjoy the wine industry! I know how hard this industry is and how lucky I have been and would love to see them be successful in their own eyes rather than mine.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?

Emotions! I became the biggest “wuss” when my Daughter was born and haven’t been able to get away from it.

What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?

A couple of things come to mind. One, vineyard focused, is how you can’t give vines in a high end vineyard everything they want and I think that is similar with kids. I want my kids to work hard for what they earn and hopefully, because of that, they produce better “fruit”. Obviously at the same time, you need to set up a great atmosphere and maintain proper nutrition, etc. for a vine and the same would be true with my kids. I want to make sure they are healthy and safe while they learn to work hard and be good people. On the wine side of things, I don’t want to be a “helicopter parent”- I hope my kids learn, even if it is the hard way, through their own failures and make improvement. My style of winemaking is similar in the sense that I like to be hands off in the cellar- let the true character of the vineyard come out in the wine and slowly help craft it into something special.

Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?

There are so many stories, any probably need to be told in person!

LEO GABICA
Winemaker  -  Sweet Cheeks Winery

How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?

I became winemaker of Sweet Cheeks Winery in 2013. Prior to that, I held the title of assistant winemaker and cellar master - I've been assisting with harvests since the late 90s. I'm coming up on my 30th year of being a dad, which is hard for me to believe. 

Does your son or daughter help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping he or she takes an interest in following in your footsteps?

My son, Ian, works with me. He started when we were self-distributed and would drive to the local stores and restaurants to deliver our wine. Eventually he moved into the vineyard and then into the cellar. I just want my kids to find something they enjoy doing - if working in the wine industry is fulfilling, that's great. If he wanted to find a new career I would be okay with that too. The skills you develop during winemaking are valuable in all career fields - you have to be accountable, adaptable and patient.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?

Honestly, how fast the time goes. Now I'm the one telling others to cherish every moment they have with their young children. 

What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?

The number one thing is patience. There are certain things that are simply out of your control, but you have to try your best to guide and stand behind the outcome. Sometimes the things that surprise you the most, are the most rewarding in the end.

Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?

When I first started at Sweet Cheeks Winery, I had my third child, Imari. With both myself and my wife working full-time, and not wanting to pay for childcare - our Founder, Dan Smith, told me to bring Imari with me. I would wear a baby carrier and do everything with her strapped to my chest. Sometimes that would be challenging! 

MARK RUTHERFORD
Winemaker  -  Willamette Valley Vineyards

How long have you been a winemaker and how long have you been a dad?

I graduated from Oregon State University in 2011 and began making wine at Left Coast Estate in October of 2011.  I met my wife in 2016 after moving to McMinnville and we were blessed with the birth of our first child, Evelyn in March of 2019.  Needless to say, life has been a little sweeter ever since, and made even sweeter this last February with the birth of our son, Brent.

Does your son or daughter help out in the winery/vineyard? Are you hoping he or she takes an interest in following in your footsteps?

Both of my children are still pretty young at this point and I commute over an hour to and from work every day.  It will be hard to get them out to the winery to visit frequently.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing for you about being a parent?

I think the most surprising thing about being a parent is finding a whole other level of love deep down inside of you that you didn't even know you were capable of.  I think most parents would tell you that they would unequivocally step in front of a bus to save their child's life which is hard to replicate in most adult relationships.  That depth of love is constantly rewarded every time you make your son or daughter smile, and it brings you joy just to be with them.

Conversely, being the father of two kids means that personal time and personal space is a thing of the past.  Whether it's going to the bathroom with your little one in tow and chatting your ear off while you're doing your business, or waking up in the middle of the night with either a tiny foot in your face, or your little one snuggled up so close that you can't even roll over. 

What skills from winemaking transfer over to fatherhood, or vice versa?

I think the main attributes that cross over from winemaking to fatherhood are constant attention and patience.  Wines benefit from a little extra time before they hit the bottle in order to soften tannins and allow for the integration of all components so you don't always know what a wine can be until it is given time to develop.  Patience with little ones often means not losing your marbles when they don't listen or are taking longer than expected to get out the door in the morning at the start of your day or to get ready for bed.  And like wine children need constant attention to make sure they stay on the right path.  A wine can go sideways pretty quickly if you aren't paying attention.  Sometimes your children's behavior can go sideways regardless, but it always helps to try to stay ahead of it.

Any funny stories from winemaker dad life?

Nothing that pertains to being a winemaker specifically but one of my favorite memories is when my wife and daughter came to visit me at Left Coast during my first harvest as a father.  Being a winemaker dad can be especially difficult during harvest when you leave before the household awakens and get home when everyone is already in bed.  It's always nice to get a visit from the family to inject some rejuvenation and give you the strength to keep going.  (I will include a photo of that first harvest).