Creating Meaningful Work
How this Head Winemaker Landed her Dream Job in a Male-Dominated Industry • With Jill Russell, Head Winemaker at Cambria Wines
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Episode notes
Listen to this episode to hear:
• Why Jill has chosen to work for a winery vs. start her own
• How you can still live in alignment and do what you love while working for someone else
• The strengths of a female-founded, female-led team
• Why Jill didn’t enjoy being labeled a “female winemaker” for a long time
• How Jill has navigated working in a male-dominated industry
• Why being a sustainable winery is so much more than the environment (but why that’s important too)
• The skills Jill fostered that helped her land her dream job as head winemaker at Cambria Wines
About Jill:
Jill Russell grew up with a love of food and wine while living in the Bay Area and working as a server at a winery in Livermore Valley. She developed a love for the Central Coast where she attended Cal Poly, SanLuis Obispo in their new Wine & Viticulture program. Interested in experiencing winemaking abroad, Jill spent a quarter studying in Adelaide,Australia. After college she had the dream opportunity to make wine in Menetou-Salon, Loire Valley France. With all of her connections and work during college at Tolosa, StephenRoss & Phase 2 Cellars, Jill was drawn back to Santa Barbara County and established her reputation there. She was introduced to Paul Lato, who believed she not only had the skills, but the right energy to help make some of the best wines that the Central Coast had to offer. At Paul Lato Wines, she specialized in wines sourced from prestigious vineyards of the Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills regions but found herself particularly drawn to the uniquely characteristic vines of Santa Maria Valley. Years later, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself, and Jill knew it was her destiny to take on the role of winemaker at Cambria Winery, one of the quintessential wineries of Santa Maria Valley. Jill is thrilled to work alongside former Cambria Winemaker and General Manager Denise Shurtleff. Jill lived in San Luis Obispo for more than ten years, and shares a love of the Central Coast with her husband Torrey. They now live in the quaint winemaking town of Los Alamos.
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Follow, subscribe and leave a review! Find out more about Yellow Co.'s community of women creaeting meaningful work: yellowco.co | @yellowco.co • Connect with Joanna at joannawaterfall.com and on IG @joannawaterfall :) Music Written by Jonny Pickett (check out his music on spotify) Thanks for listening!