Comments on: The wine writer as hermit-monk http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/ A blog about the world of wine Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:15:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Dylan http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/comment-page-1/#comment-6589 Dylan Thu, 14 May 2009 18:36:08 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=2740#comment-6589 I'm not a wine reviewer, so I cannot relate directly. But, I am a writer and I believe there's a balance. In order to write we need our solace, it's a place for our mind to wander and wade through the subconscious of all the things it has collected. However, we can't remain in that solace for too long, even if we want to. That's a point where you need to recharge, as Steve said, going out to observe the world, chatting people up--you can return with a renewed sense of things. While I value the adamant dedication to a craft, it's important not to become consumed in the process. After all we're all trying to be master of our own craft, not the other way around. I’m not a wine reviewer, so I cannot relate directly. But, I am a writer and I believe there’s a balance. In order to write we need our solace, it’s a place for our mind to wander and wade through the subconscious of all the things it has collected. However, we can’t remain in that solace for too long, even if we want to. That’s a point where you need to recharge, as Steve said, going out to observe the world, chatting people up–you can return with a renewed sense of things. While I value the adamant dedication to a craft, it’s important not to become consumed in the process. After all we’re all trying to be master of our own craft, not the other way around.

]]> By: steve http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/comment-page-1/#comment-6432 steve Tue, 12 May 2009 20:44:52 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=2740#comment-6432 Good Grape: Thanks. It's probably some twisted aspect of my personality that makes me so obsessive. Good Grape: Thanks. It’s probably some twisted aspect of my personality that makes me so obsessive.

]]> By: good grape http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/comment-page-1/#comment-6430 good grape Tue, 12 May 2009 20:23:57 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=2740#comment-6430 Hi Steve, Good post. I tend to disagree, generally, that one has to be monastically committed to wine writing to be successful. From 2006 to early 2008 I did a tour of duty in the wine industry with a technology company in Napa. I personally found it to be draining and being around wine 24/7/365 dampened my wine enthusiasm and took away the air of discovery. To use Dr. Horowitz's allusion, which I have used before, it was like being a porn star and then having to service your wife at night. It took all of the punch out of it. I think a diversity of experience can be a significant contributor to creating fresh voices in wine writing, preventing a succession chain of insular thinking in approach and style. Just one man's opinion, though. Hi Steve,

Good post. I tend to disagree, generally, that one has to be monastically committed to wine writing to be successful.

From 2006 to early 2008 I did a tour of duty in the wine industry with a technology company in Napa.

I personally found it to be draining and being around wine 24/7/365 dampened my wine enthusiasm and took away the air of discovery.

To use Dr. Horowitz’s allusion, which I have used before, it was like being a porn star and then having to service your wife at night. It took all of the punch out of it.

I think a diversity of experience can be a significant contributor to creating fresh voices in wine writing, preventing a succession chain of insular thinking in approach and style.

Just one man’s opinion, though.

]]> By: Steven Mirassou http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/comment-page-1/#comment-6426 Steven Mirassou Tue, 12 May 2009 20:07:16 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=2740#comment-6426 Steve: Terrific work. Your word "devotional" was perfect. Though I am tasting out of barrel most days, on Fridays, the cellar crew is gone, and it is just me in a room 40 feet high with hundreds of barrels, tasting and thinking and shaping. My "cathedral" is one of my favorite places in the world; a place of meditation and of pleasure, and a place where past and present meet the future. Steven Mirassou Steven Kent Winery Steve:

Terrific work. Your word “devotional” was perfect. Though I am tasting out of barrel most days, on Fridays, the cellar crew is gone, and it is just me in a room 40 feet high with hundreds of barrels, tasting and thinking and shaping. My “cathedral” is one of my favorite places in the world; a place of meditation and of pleasure, and a place where past and present meet the future.

Steven Mirassou
Steven Kent Winery

]]> By: Arthur, winesooth http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/05/11/the-wine-writer-as-hermit-monk/comment-page-1/#comment-6409 Arthur, winesooth Tue, 12 May 2009 15:24:01 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=2740#comment-6409 "A writer writes" no doubt. Written work is the product from which a writer draws their income. There needs to be a balance, especially in this field since traveling to wineries and events provides the interaction that serves as fodder for further writing. Serendipitously enough, I came across this piece about "weisure" on CNN.com today: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/05/11/weisure/index.html “A writer writes” no doubt. Written work is the product from which a writer draws their income. There needs to be a balance, especially in this field since traveling to wineries and events provides the interaction that serves as fodder for further writing.
Serendipitously enough, I came across this piece about “weisure” on CNN.com today: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/05/11/weisure/index.html

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