Book Review: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

I love a book that you don't want to put down and once you finish it you've learned about new things and have gained insight into other people's lives.  I would say I loved Lab Girl by Hope Jahren.  This book is written by Hope Jahren, recounting her experiences in the science laboratory, in academia and in life.  Hope is a geobiologist who talks about the life of plants--in a riveting way, and also talks about the life of a scientific researcher--in a very personal way.

Lab Girl chronicles Dr. Jahren's life from her childhood in Minnesota, through her undergraduate college days and into her professor and research roles.  Hope incorporates memories and thoughts from her past into tales about plant life and soil science.  This may sound unusual, but Hope does a facinating job of it.  She is unabashedly honest about the struggles she has faced in interpersonal relationships, in the academic setting, and with her own mental health.  

I read this book earlier this year and have had it sitting on my desk waiting for a chance to review it.  I got through this book very quickly, which is always a godsend for me.  But over the last few months I have not forgotten her stories.  These include her loyal lab mate's life living at or below the poverty line on a university's technician's pay.  Living in his beat up van, moving it from public land to abandoned parking lot, all while having a shoddy manual transmission.  

Hope also weaves information about the life cycle, hopes and dreams and the ultimate end of plants' lives.  Talking about paleobotany, academic struggles, successful scientific discoveries and unsuccessful lab disasters, Hope keeps you engaged and rooting for her success.

During the story, Hope also describes her personal struggle with mental health.  She is completely frank and honest about what she has dealt with, what it is like, and how she deals with it.  It can be surprising to hear her revelations, but it makes you so impressed with her commitment to scientific research, and to the people she values around her.  

Her book concludes with a science experiment wrapping up in her botany lab in Hawaii.  She is a full professor at the University of Hawaii.  She has secured a good position for her faithful companion, Bill, and they are finally able to live well.  Hope has married and has a young son.  Life seems to be shining on her.  And out of her contentment came this wonderful book about her life.  Go shine some light on this book, and your knowledge will grow--just like a young seedling!

WineTalent Classifieds: Winery Cost Accountant in Napa, CA

WineTalent is working with our client, Nakedwines.com, to find a Cost Accountant to join their team in Napa.

About Nakedwines.com:  Nakedwines.com is creating a community of wine drinkers and winemakers who are changing the wine world for the better.  Nakedwines.com customers support talented, independent winemakers across the USA and the world, in return for access to exclusive handcrafted wines at amazing prices. Because they fund winemakers upfront, Nakedwines.com can remove a huge chunk of the costs that would usually be passed back to the customer.

Nakedwines.com started in the UK in 2008 and by 2012 Naked Wines launched in the US and later in Australia.  The US business recently celebrated its 5^th anniversary and is delivering profits along with significant growth.  In Napa, Nakedwines.com has a marketing, operations, finance and customer service team approaching 100 people, and a production site in Kenwood.  WineTalent is searching for someone to improve the wine cost accounting processes to support the fast growth of sales.

Come be a part of a culture of fun, hard-working people in a laid-back environment where employees come to work in flip flops and jeans.  All of NakedWines.com’s staff members are very friendly and helpful, so before long you will be coming to work with your friends.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

We are looking for an experienced wine Cost Accountant for NakedWines.com US business to help the company reach its fullest potential.  This position will report to the Controller and support the following activities:

• Design and implement best-in-class controls to improve cost accounting methods and procedures.
• Reconcile monthly inventory of bulk wine, cased goods, and packaging materials to ensure that inventory value is accurately reflected on financial reports.
• Compile and produce summary reports related to winery spend and monthly costs.
• Drive business performance through insightful analysis of inventory and COGS.
•  Work closely with Controller on annual audit and lead inventory and cost accounting areas.
•  Work across various departments both locally and globally to implement group standard tools, systems and processes.
• Provide analysis support for various business driven projects as needs evolve.

Candidates who connect through positive and respectful interaction and create extraordinary experiences, solutions and ideas will be at the top of the list. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Four-year degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA preferred.
• 3 – 5 years of cost accounting experience desired; previous wine industry experience preferred.
•  Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Highly organized with acute attention to detail and high level of integrity.
• Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively within company guidelines.
• Passion for continuous process improvement.

     COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Monthly gym contribution
• Wine allowance
•  Compensation - Dependent on experience and qualifications

HOW TO APPLY

Email resumes to amy@winetalent.net. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.  Applicants will also be required to take an online assessment. 

WineTalent Classifieds: Estate Relations for ADAMVS on Howell Mountain

WineTalent is working with our client, ADAMVS, to find an experienced hospitality professional to lead the estate relations role at the winery on Howell Mountain in Angwin, CA. 

About ADAMVS:
Among the great hillside and mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignons of the New World, Howell Mountain is legendary for the profound structure and sophistication of its wines. It is an area so unique that it became the first sub-appellation designated entirely within Napa Valley. Located on the high slopes of Howell Mountain, ADAMVS is dedicated to honoring this renowned terroir and crafting timeless mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

The proprietors discovered the idyllic property that would become ADAMVS in 2008. In its mosaic of five vineyard sites, iron-rich red soils, ideal elevation and diversity of vineyard exposures, they saw the perfect convergence of geology and geography. To realize the promise of ADAMVS, and the goal of establishing a new benchmark for excellence on Howell Mountain, they gathered together a small team of the industry's finest and most passionate individuals, including Philippe Melka and Mike Wolf to cultivate the mountainside vineyard organically and biodynamically and forge personal relationships with each partner, member and connoisseur who has embarked on this journey.

Estate Relations
The Estate Relations candidate would ideally have a breadth of experience in hospitality, member relations, allocation management, and event planning that will immediately inspire the confidence of the team. We seek a professional who has a service heart, gracious, mature, and an outstanding background in authentic, personalized, high touch hospitality experiences and member relations.

Responsibilities:

• Provide guests an intimate experience at the winery, including a guided tour of the property and a seated tasting of the estate’s wines. 
• Establishing and managing business relationships with luxury partners.
• Booking tours and tastings.
• Management of wine allocations and mailing list.
• Fulfillment of orders.
• Relationship development and management of VIP clients.
• Excellent attention to detail in all business dealings including site preparation, guest tours, correspondence, communications with guests and periodic post-visit follow-up. 

Qualifications:

• A true appreciation and understanding of fine wine with a global perspective on wine, food and hospitality.
• Past management of the hospitality experience at an ultra-premium winery including order fulfillment.
• Experience in managing a highly curated mailing list and hosting those guests on-site.
• Strong business partner relationships within the Napa Valley and within the wine, food and hospitality industry.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated and self-managed.
• Good teamwork skills and a desire to work with the entire organization in a collaborative and productive manner.
• Poise and grace with a true love of terroir, agriculture, enology and hospitality. 
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, hospitality, communications or related discipline. 
• An appreciation of arts, culture, travel, language and related areas is highly desirable. 

All applicants and inquiries will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.  Interested candidates are encouraged to email a resume to amy@winetalent.net.  

Winejobs News: Hiring Increases in June 2017

Good news for job seekers:  Wineries increased job postings in the last month.  Winejobs.com just stated that they had a 1% increase in postings from June 2016 to June 2017 and up 6% year-to-date.

Harvest positions continue to get good advertising with a 13% increase in postings year-to-date.  Winemaking postings were up 6% from June 2016 and 18% year-to-date.  Sales and marketing had a slight increase while DTC and related positions decreased by 2% from June 2016 but are up 2% year-to-date.





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