A Day in the Life: Working in the Wine Industry

Welcome to our seventh blog post! Take a look behind-the-scenes at working in the wine industry, learn how to get started, tips for success, and current job opportunities at Liquid Art Winery.

There’s something undeniably romantic and inspiring about working in the wine industry. Whether it’s the rolling vineyards, the hands-on creativity of winemaking, or the atmosphere of a bustling tasting room, life at a winery offers a unique blend of agriculture, hospitality, and artistry. At Liquid Art Winery, every day brings something new, and for those who’ve dreamed of turning their passion for wine into a career, there’s no better time to explore what working in the wine industry is really like.

How Our Liquid Art Winery Founders Got Started Working in the Wine Industry

Everyone’s journey into the wine world is a little different. For Dave, he knew he wanted to be in the wine industry as early as high school—he even planted his first vineyard back then. When Dave and Danielle started dating in college, Danielle began helping him care for the vines, and that’s when she realized she wanted to be part of the wine world too—she completely fell in love with it.

Dave told Danielle, “I’ll make the wine, and you’ll sell it.” From that moment on, it became their shared goal.

Danielle switched her major from education to marketing. Dave completed his general education courses at K-State with the intention of transferring to Fresno State in California to earn his degree in Enology and Viticulture. Danielle joined him there for one semester as part of a study abroad program and helped him manage his assigned vineyard acreage at the university whenever she could. Danielle got her hands dirty right alongside Dave, learning firsthand what it takes to grow grapes.

While in Fresno, Danielle met a manager from the local farmers market who sold wine that was made at the university. That simple connection turned out to be pivotal. After graduating from K-State, Dave and Danielle got married, and Danielle moved to Fresno full-time while Dave finished his degree. That same market manager later introduced her to the district manager at Gallo for the Fresno area—and that one introduction ultimately opened the door into the wine industry.

Danielle’s career officially began as a sales representative for the Gallo portfolio. As they moved for Dave’s winemaking opportunities—first to Washington, then to Colorado—Gallo continued to keep her on as their portfolio representative through different distributors in each state. That experience gave them the foundation, industry insight, and confidence they needed to eventually launch their own venture: Liquid Art Winery.

No matter how you start, working in the wine industry opens the door to endless learning and growth—from the science of fermentation to the art of customer service.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re considering working in the wine industry, here are a few tips to help you take the first step:

• Be willing to start anywhere. Many of the best winemakers, vineyard workers, and tasting room managers began by cleaning tanks, pouring wine, or working harvests. The key is showing up, staying curious, and putting in the work.

• Ask questions and seek mentors. Your mentors don’t have to come from the wine world—mentors from any field can provide valuable insight. The more well-rounded your knowledge is, the more prepared you'll be to handle the diverse roles and challenges in this industry.  Never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help.

• Sales experience is a major plus. Whether it’s experience behind the bar, in retail, or in wholesale distribution, the skill of effectively sharing a product and connecting with people is essential—and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the wine industry.

• Say yes to opportunity—even if it’s outside the wine world. Experience in areas such as hospitality, farming, retail, or working with heavy equipment is incredibly valuable. Whether you’ve been a farmhand, worked in food service, or operated machinery, these experiences translate well into roles across the vineyard, winery, or tasting room.

Job Openings

If this sounds like your kind of workday, you’re in luck—Liquid Art Winery is always looking for people who are passionate about the wine industry!

Whether you're a seasoned pro or brand new to the world of wine, we’d love to hear from you. Working in the wine industry offers a chance to be part of something beautiful, creative, and constantly evolving.

Check out our careers page for current openings and application details.

Join Our Team

Takeaway

Working in the wine industry isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. It’s about celebrating life’s moments, learning something new every day, and connecting with people through wine, food, and unforgettable experiences. At Liquid Art Winery, we’re proud of the team we’ve built and excited to keep growing with passionate, curious individuals who want to be part of the journey.

If you’ve ever imagined yourself working in the wine industry, now’s the time to take the leap. We hope to see you on the vineyard hill soon—whether as a guest, a teammate, or both.