It has always been a dream of mine to one day make my own wine. To do things my way and make my own decisions based on what’s best for me and my family. But putting this wine dream into practice is not quite easy or as romantic as it sounds. With large start-up costs, you are instantly a year behind before you have any wine in a bottle. So this dream always felt just that little bit out of reach.
But then life throws you a curve ball. Four months ago I was made redundant. Although not one prone to self-pity, ‘redundancy’ does make you momentarily question your ability and definitely deflates your confidence. But it also makes you reflect. It made me realise how fortunate I have been. My career over the past 14 years has involved working for premium producers, working with premium fruit, and along the way picking up some great accolades for my wines. Any Winemakers dream.
So, there is always a silver lining right? A blessing in disguise? The big guy upstairs with a Grand Plan?
Missy, my wife, tells it beautifully… as she called her big brother in tears, “What are we going to do now?” His reply was simple… “What are you crying about? This is the best thing that could happen! Finally Scooter (that’s me!) can do his own thing. So stop crying and go and open a bottle of Champagne. It’s time to celebrate!”
The reality of hearing this made us stop and start to believe in ourselves again, to have the confidence to chase that dream, throw everything into it and take the risk. So for the past four months we have been creating Comyns & Co. Creating a brand isn’t easy. But with the amazing support from Missy (aka the Comyns & Co. Positive Vibes Manager); the backing of my non-wine drinking brother-in-laws and my artistic guru brother, I now have a clear vision and am confident that Comyns & Co. will become a dynamite brand.
And as so often happens when you start to believe in yourself again, things have started to fall into place. I have been given a great opportunity to team up with one of the Hunters renowned winemakers – Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines. Thomo has not only given me the opportunity to come on-board and help him out with his wines, but also to make Comyns & Co. wines onsite and learn from a winemaking legend like Thomo along the way. What a win/win situation! To say I’m pumped is an understatement.
The response we have received so far from family, friends and industry colleagues has been overwhelming. We’d like to say thank you to those who have sent words of support, encouragement and sage advice. So with the first Comyns & Co. vintage fast approaching, we are itching to get it into the bottle and out to you.
We invite you to chase this dream with us by joining our mailing list and share in our family wine adventures. Bring on 2016!
Cheers,
Scotty Comyns
Comyns & Co. I Bold, Edgy, and Honest
