In 2019, after one failed attempt at struggling to even go inside the building due to anxiety, I walked into the biggest winery in the area where I was living at the time and pretty much demanded they hire me. I got the job. I worked there for two years and learned many things about the wine industry minus the physical winemaking. I wasn’t even allowed into the barrel room, no one was, unless you were a Kosher observant person. Rightfully so.

So in late summer of 2020, while visiting friends in the industry in Paso Robles, I was invited to help volunteer during harvest. I made the 2 hours 22 minute drive from Oxnard to Paso once a week and on my one day off of being a full time employee (& mom) and immersed myself. It was that harvest where I had the opportunity to purchase my first ton of fruit, some amazing Syrah from Caelesta Vineyard and thus, Xochitl Wines was born.