lessons from wine on work/life balance 😮‍💨

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I’m Megumi, a corporate escapee turned entrepreneur and sommelier, here to bring you sharp wine tips, no-bullshit thoughts on life in (and beyond) corporate America, and a woman-made wine you’ll be excited to pour & share. 

Here’s what we’re drinking (and thinking) about this week:

Let’s talk about balance.

When a wine snob drones on about a wine being “integrated,” “seamless,” or “in harmony”, what they’re really talking about is balance. 

First, let’s break down the components that make up a wine:

For a wine to feel balanced, all of these need to play nice together without a component overpowering the others.

It’s like an orchestra where every section blends together, not just one oboe squeaking over the violins.

Or when a movie’s sound mix is perfect: you can actually hear the whispering actors and survive the action explosions without blowing out your speakers.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what happens when the wine balance is off:

Here’s a real world example:

Ever had a big, buttery California Chardonnay that felt heavy and overwhelming?

That’s a sign of low acid. Or what a sommelier might lovingly call “flabby.”

One last tip:

You might hear someone describe a red wine as “austere.” 

This is referring to the tannins and doesn’t mean it’s bad or harsh, but tight and structured.

An austere wine usually needs some time to open up (hello, decanting) or age a bit longer to soften the tannins.

Got questions? Hit reply!

I love nerding out about this stuff.

Now…let’s talk about the harder balance to find: your life.

In a society where people are saying that we “have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé” (excuse me, I do not have millions of dollars to throw at assistants, housekeepers, and nannies), how exactly are we supposed to balance all the components of our lives?

How do we juggle our time and energy between work, health, friendships, romance, and the never-ending cycle of laundry and dishes?

Lately, I’ve been hearing from women (especially moms) that “work-life balance is a myth.”

And honestly? I think they’re right. While it’s not particularly comforting, it is more realistic.

And maybe, we can learn something from wine.

What happens to our health when work drowns out everything else?

If we stop prioritizing relationships, does the future look a little lonelier?

Will ignoring the laundry and dishes make them magically disappear?

(Still holding out hope for that last one…)

I clearly don’t have the answers. 

I’ve been burnt out before.

I got shingles at 30 from a boss who thought weekend and midnight emails were normal.

But I’m trying to learn which components of life are non-negotiable.

Maybe I can’t make it to the gym as often as I’d like, but I can put a treadmill under my desk.

Maybe organizing girls’ trips gets harder as we get older, but I can stay connected in smaller, meaningful ways.

Maybe I can stay informed without doom scrolling myself into an anxiety spiral.

(Okay fine, that one’s still a work in progress.)

I don’t think balance is about perfect proportions.

It’s about keeping everything from falling apart at once, and making sure the important pieces have a seat at the table.

How are you finding balance these days? What’s working for you? What’s NOT working?

(And if you’ve cracked the code on work-life balance, please don’t gatekeep. Share the goods!)

Based in Napa Valley, Kira champions organic and sustainable practices. As she puts it:

“We are making a luxury good – we shouldn't be polluting the air or water in pursuit of making it.”

Her collection includes some beautiful reds (I personally love her Mourvedre), wonderful whites, and a lovely Pinot Noir rosé.
Check out her shop online or stop by if you’re ever in Napa!

That’s all for today!

And remember, just like wine, life’s better when it’s in balance.

See you in two weeks,

P.S. What’s a wine I’ve got to try this week? Hit reply and let me know, I’m curious!

P.P.S. I was quoted recently in Wine Enthusiast and Forbes!
One’s about about Merlot vs. Malbec, and the other is about the bubbles you should be using for your mimosas. Check them out to get more tips!