Day 1

I’ve done it.  Today I launched what will most likely end up as one of the biggest projects of my life and potentially the biggest risk I’ve taken to this day.  I’ve officially began the process of creating my winery.

The amount of thought and research that I’ve put into this over the last two years cannot be quantified.  Many things had to come together for me to have the chance to attempt to build my own winery.  Getting the part-time gig as winemaker for Running Brook was a critical step to get to this day.  Never before in my life have I felt how the luck of being in the right place at the right time could end up having such a dramatic influence in my future and the future of my family.

I’ll be honest and say that over the last few weeks while pondering this decision I felt very nervous.  However, once I made the decision to go for it, the nervousness immediately started to change into a sense of excitement.  Ideas are popping into my head… I can already visualize the next crush season, the labels on the bottles, people having fun and chatting while sipping my wine at the tasting room.  A couple of years from now I may look back at this day and say to myself… what in the world was I thinking?  I may end up as another victim in the cemetery of failed wineries.  But so be it.  I’ll take the risk instead of questioning myself for the rest of my life… what if I had done it?

So, what’s next...?

I’ve registered as a business at the local and state level but the biggest hurdle is yet to come… obtaining the necessary licenses from the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) and the Massachusetts ABCC (Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission).  It involves a lot of paperwork and a considerable amount of time (3 months or longer).  After submitting all of my applications, I will start thinking about other aspects such as the brand image.  I’ll be counting on you for opinions and feedback on some of the decisions that I will have to make.  But here is what I can already share with you today…

The name of the winery:  TRAVESSIA
The place:  Downtown New Bedford

TRAVESSIA is a Portuguese word for Journey or Passage.  There were other names but once I thought of this one, I quickly and easily realized that it would provide me with many opportunities to tie it with what I want the winery and the wines to be all about.  Besides I wanted to avoid naming the winery after a place or the family’s last name.

The winery will be in the downtown area of New Bedford.  A few months ago I failed to convince the owners of a small piece of land in Dartmouth that I was the right person to take over their property.  In retrospect, that was a good thing.  I’ve since realized that building an Urban Winery is more in line with my immediate objective.  The number one question on everyone’s minds… where do the grapes come from?  Well, certainly not from the roof tops :-)...   That’s a topic that deserves its own post but I can tell you that the vast majority of the wines made by TRAVESSIA will be from grapes grown right here in Southeast New England.

Feel free to comment here or send me emails of encouragement… or discouragement :-)

Comments

[Dale Cruse]

Woohoo! Congratulations Marco!

[Neil]

Wow, congratulations and good luck on your ambitious endeavor! From the short time I have been reading your posts this new adventure is a perfect move. Your posts are always very passionate, informative and enthusiastic about all things wine.
-Neil Cardoso

[Bernard Kiyanda]

Congrats Marco! Can't wait to read more about your new project.

[Marco]

Dale, Neil, Bernard -

Thank you! I can't express well enough through writting how much it means to me that you read my blog and even more... that you took the time to leave these encouraging comments.

Thanks again!
Marco

[Jeremy]

This is great news Marco! I have no doubt that your business will be a complete success. The name is perfect too! It's memorable, distinct, and meaningful--all elements of a great brand. How do I get on the mailing list! : )

Jeremy

[Elisa]

First of all...let me thank you for keeping your blog current. Each time I visit you share something new with all of us.
Second...congratulations my friend! I wish you all the luck in the world on your new venture. I know it will be great.

P.S. Let me know as soon as your tasting room is open...I need a night out on the town. ;)

[Marco]

Jeremy - Thank you for the good feedback on the name. The mailing list is coming... no surprise that travessia.com has been reserved by someone and I don't feel like spending the 2Gs to buy it. But as soon as I get a basic website up I will add the mailing list. Thanks again for your kind words.

Elisa - Thank You! Also, thanks for being the all time top commenter on my blog - keep it coming. I hadn't thought about being open some extended hours, but I will put that down in the plan. If it can be done you will be the first to know.

[Nuno]

Congratulation Marco,
Best of luck with everything... can't wait to go by your winery and buy many bottles... make that cases.

[Marco Montez]

Thanks Nuno!

I really appreciate your comment and look forward to seeing you at the winery.

Marco

[Tim]

Congratulations on taking that first big step. Best of luck to you on this venture and I can't wait to taste your wine and tell the world about it. Cheers!

[Jill]

Fantastic news! I hope I'll be able to visit if I get to the New Bedford area, where I have some family. Very very exciting.

[Mary Baker]

Congratulations, Marco! I remember the moment when we took that leap ourselves. I'm sure you will succeed, and I'll look forward to reading about your journey from Day One.
--Mary Baker, Dover Canyon Winery

[Marco]

Tim - Thank you. I will make sure that you are on the blogger's wine review list.

Jill - I expect your visit next time you come out east to the New Bedford area. Even if you do before the winery is open, let's get together for a bottle... or two.

Mary - Your piece on small wineries was inspirational to me when I begun considering the idea of having my own small winery. Your comment here truly means a lot to me.

[Carla]

Hey Marco,
Just heard the news!! Congratulations! It sounds like if anyone can do it... it's you! After reading some of your blogs, I can certainly see how passionate you are about the wine industry. Your passion along with your smarts and great personality will truly make it a successfull venture!
Carla

[Marco]

Hi Carla! Thank you so much for your kind words! Thanks for reading also and keep in touch.

Marco

[Bela]

Marco,
Congratulations!!
I love the name... Travessia! We are looking forward to your great success. As you already know, great rewards come from great courage.
Continued best wishes,
Bela and Brian

[Marco]

Hi Bela! Thanks for stopping by and your nice words of encouragement. Looking forward to finally having you guys closer to home.