HOW MOM MADE IT! making wine

IN THIS MONTH’S FEATURE OF HOW MOM MADE IT! WE’RE TAKING YOU ON A WINE TOUR TO TEMECULA VALLEY. SAN ELIJO HILLS RESIDENT, OLIVIA BUE, IS THE WINEMAKER AT ROBERT RENZONI VINEYARDS. SHE STARTED HER CAREER AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS, SPENT YEARS MAKING WINES AROUND THE WORLD, AND NOW THIS BUSY WIFE AND MOM OF TWO IS BOTTLING SOME OF THE BEST WINES IN THE WORLD. WE HAD A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW OLIVIA IS BLENDING FAMILY LIFE WITH HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

MOMSTOWN: Tell us about Olivia Bue!

OLIVIA: I was born and raised in the same Olivenhain home my parents still live in almost 34 years later. Growing up on an acre+ of land, my childhood consisted of being outside and getting my hands dirty. Whether I was collecting the chicken eggs from the barn or digging up a mud bath for our family pig, Freddy, it’s easy to say I was drawn to nature and the outdoors at an early age.

My amazing husband, Tyler, and I now reside in San Elijo Hills with our son, Remington (4), and daughter, Dakota (2). As both Encinitas natives it wasn’t a surprise when I decided to head back to Southern California in search of a winemaking position in Temecula Valley.

I was hired by Robert as Assistant Winemaker for Robert Renzoni in 2014, obviously with the goal of becoming the head Winemaker. After two and a half years of devoting myself to the wines and the success of the winery, the promotion to Winemaker came, as promised. Being part of the famiglia here at Robert Renzoni Vineyards for the past 9+ years has been incredible. I’ve been able to grow with the company and become hands on in every angle of the expanding business.

MOMSTOWN: How did you get started in the wine business?

OLIVIA: Believe it or not, as a senior at La Costa Canyon HS, I decided to pursue a career in winemaking thanks to a family friend who opened my eyes to the wine industry as they were beginning a winery in Paso Robles called Field Recordings. The stars aligned and I was accepted into UC Davis months later. After graduating in 2011 with a Viticulture and Enology science degree, I began broadening my knowledge by interning at several wineries around the world. I was learning to make wine next to the kangaroos in Australia at Mollydooker Winery for a southern hemisphere harvest followed by a harvest in Napa Valley at Cakebread Cellars. Both were fantastic opportunities and made me realize how important it was to me to be working at a high quality and focused family-operated winery.

MOMSTOWN: What is it about being a winemaker that brings you the greatest joy?

OLIVIA: Devoting my energy and passion into the wines here at Robert Renzoni Vineyards for the past 9+ years and sharing the fruits of my labor with family and friends is extraordinary. Wine brings people together and, to me, symbolizes meaningful conversations, love, monumental moments, friendship.

The process of making wine is magical. The patience and devotion that goes into cultivating grapes in a vineyard then transforming each of these varietals into its own unique wine is a beautiful thing to witness.

MOMSTOWN: What is the most difficult part of working in the wine business?

OLIVIA: Beginning work before daybreak 6-7 days a week for about 3 months a year is what winemaking entails during harvest time. Balancing my two passions is the most difficult part of being a winemaker. My priorities in life are being a devoted mother to my family and also continuing to grow and transpire as a winemaker. Balancing these two can be challenging and exhausting but it’s important to me for my kids to see what hard work and ambition looks like. I’m so enthusiastic and passionate about making wine, it brings joy to my life which ultimately makes me a better mom. Early morning pumpovers will be part of the harvest norm for them. Can’t wait to put them to work in a few years!

MOMSTOWN: What does it mean to you to be a mom and working in a typically male-dominated industry?

OLIVIA: I’m certainly proud of being a woman in a male dominated