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About a year ago, I wrote perhaps my most comment-provoking, post-inspiring piece about women knowing wine, all because the waitress was going to let BK taste the bottle that I had ordered.
Over the past few days, Bay Area news has been abuzz with the discrepancies in men and women’s salaries, with about $10,000 separating the median incomes, in favor of the males. I just spent more time than I should have searching for figures specific to the wine business. While I did find that there is such a gender gap in Ireland and New Zealand and that more men are in management positions in the restaurant world, I couldn’t uncover the numbers I was really seeking.
Though I can make a few guesses.
Some of the better-paying jobs, according to Wine Business Monthly’s 2007 Salary Survey Report, are winemakers, vineyard managers, marketing higher-ups, and the vice president of sales (sign me up for that one, please!). From what I’ve seen, heard, and been around, men fill those positions more often than women. So I think it’s safe to say the wine business isn’t much different than other careers, in how much less women are paid. Besides, we all know which wine critics get the most attention. And that writing skills might not always coincide with the number of readers….
The aspect of the survey that really shouted out to me was about tasting room salaries. Dave Blevins feels that wineries need to do more–much more–for their tasting room managers and employees. “I think [tasting room salaries are] a tragedy,” he said. “Tasting room staff is the first line of defense in the consumer experience. That environment makes or breaks that consumer experience.
True that! I also remember reading somewhere that tasting room staff are most easily burnt out, so there can be higher turnover. Which is easy to believe of any job in customer service, despite that so many folks out there think we have the best job in the world. Often true, but some days can be especially hard. It’s the whole “Keep employees happy, so they keep customers happy.”
So, here’s to paying tasting room staff and women more!
Image source: random nice customer in Rosenblum’s tasting room
Paige,
Interesting point. Maybe one day we’ll find out.
Kelly, Doug and Debbe, Thanks for the constant support! y’all are the best.
Wine Tasting Guy,
Thanks for pointing me out to Cathy’s post. I love her blog, too.
Cathy,
I completely agree with youur post as well. AS a tasting room assistant manager, I have to make sure my staff treats people kindly. We are creating an experience, and sometimes that is even more important that the wine. Luckily, I have great people to work with, such as Pam Maners!
As someone who often visits tasting rooms, I expect pourers to treat me as nicely as I try to treat others. Sadly, too many times that doesn’;t happen.
But everybody has a bad day every once in a while, which I try to remember. Sometimes there is nothing harder than keeping a smile plastered on your face!
David, Thanks for the wonderful comments. Most times it IS great fun. But as you point out, people can say and do the craziest things. Add alcohol, and that can get any crazier!
Also, as you say, sometimes the people at the top of the totem pole forget how hard this job is and how important it is…
Nice write up Farley. I agree with you and Dave Blevins, that the first line of defense should be well compensated as they’re the ones that ultimately make “the sale”.
Soon, Rosenblum shall have another female manager, right?
Bravo! Well written and thought provoking! Keep your voice out there, some one will listen and there will be change.
OMGosh I could not agree more with this. Saying you are the front line od defense and really the window into the winery you are one of the most important aspects of the business and should be recognized. When someone has a positive tasting experience they will sell your wine by word of mouth, which is often way above what any good marketing campaign can accomplish.
Cheers to not getting burnt out!
I kept wondering in the primary if Hillary had won the nomination and then the office, if they would have had to reduce her salary. You know, just to keep her at par with other women in the US.
Nice post!
I actually just read a post by another blogger I think you will appreciate. She is a great blogger and seems to be speaking out for good tasting room employees everywhere…
http://noblepig.com/2008/07/23/are-you-a-snob.aspx
All the best!
nice post farley… i agree with you wholeheartedly…
I know of some tasting rooms in Napa that give incentive to sell more wine and frankly I have no problem with that. We all know when you buy from the tasting room, it’s full retail. So pay the staff that sells and is great with people.
I would agree with you that there is burn out. It’s difficult to work with people directly in your face for hours on end. And having worked tasting rooms, trade shows and events, people say the craziest stuff to you. And those that can with stand it and or like it are hard to keep. Because other people notice and hire them away.
Sometimes, I think the people that made the wine or own the winery forget that selling the wine is the key to a profitable business! Look how many great wines are made, yet can’t get traction in the market. Look how many average to below average wines are on shelves or are on peoples tables. Good sales people are hard to get and keep! So man or woman, if you can talk with people, enjoy people and understand that sales are vital to the success of the business, you will ALWAYS have work.
Great article Farley! I’d like to add that tasting room staff just may sell more wine if they are financially compensated!