If you're looking for more happiness, why not try something new.
“ If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.”
— Dr. Suess
When you're a child, all things are new. Our little brains are firing on all cylinders, new synapses are being formed, and the background music to all this growth and development is a happy hum.
Did you know there is actually science behind the idea that happiness is connected to new experiences? (By the way, if you are up for a "doing new" challenge, I came across this article that will fit the bill nicely: "How New Experiences Can Be a Path to Happiness")
I think as we mature, finding new experiences (or being intentional about valuing them) takes a little more effort. I had a "new" experience just this past week that I would love to share with you.
As you may know, especially if you're reading this, I opened my own wine tour company just this year. In that whole process, I've been re-acquainted with "new" many times, although I can't say I always looked for the happiness in that fact. This past week though, while on a tour, I experienced a connection with my guests that superseded my expectations. Our conversation even brought me to tears while I was driving and my "professional" armor was breached while my heart was touched, changed and even healed. #Worthit.
This experience and other conversations we had led to the "doing new" concept and I learned so much from their awareness of it and their practices that keep things fresh.
My childlike pursuit: To make room for new experiences and value them for the happiness they can bring.
SERENDIPITOUS NEWS
HIGH DESERT RENDEZVOUS
We're honored to have been invited to participate in the High Desert Museum's annual fundraiser, High Desert Rendezvous! A Serendipity Wine Tour will be part of a desirable wine country package including a two-night stay at the Atticus Hotel in McMinnville, charcuterie boxes from Gather + Give and possibly even a hot air balloon ride! This experience will be auctioned to help raise money for the museum. The show, live and silent auctions, raffle and more will be held on August 28, 2021.
THE GATHERING
We have been invited to participate in The Gathering benefit for Saving Grace Maternity Home where their goal is to raise $100,000 to make significant progress in paying off the home's mortgage balance of $245,000. Stay tuned for more details!
SWT GIFT CERTIFICATES!
Wouldn't this be a gift you would love to receive? Serendipity Wine Tour Gift Certificates are now available in $100 increments or "The Works" for $600. We think it's a great gift idea for co-workers, friends or family! Give the gift you'd love to receive! :)
TWO CLAPS!
This is a space created for appreciating those who go above and beyond. It's fun to catch people in the act of being kind!
This edition of Two Claps goes out to Kayla at Landmark Ford in Wilsonville. Kayla has been our contact when Serendipity needs to secure a vehicle for larger groups. After an instance where it was brought to her attention that the vehicle was not cleaned properly, she not only refunded our fee but took ownership of all future transactions and made sure, personally, that the vehicle was cleaned and ready to be used on a wine tour upon pick-up. We can't always be perfect but being able and willing to "make it right" goes above and beyond. It's a huge piece of good customer relations and a sign that you take pride in what you do. You have gained a happy and loyal customer, Kayla! Thank you for modeling how to nurture top notch business relationships.
TWO CLAPS!
VISION BOARD
Coming soon...Pay it Forward Industry Tour Days are launching in August for our friends in the Oregon wine industry. We will have 1-2 days a month (which will be announced) where our industry friends can take a tour with us at a deeply discounted rate.
Prioritizing work with my career coach around creating a Project Plan for the founding of the Willamette Valley Wine Tourism Collective. The creation of the mission statement has been first step. First meeting targeted for end of August.
I am working with Hannah to plan our first Serendipity Business Retreat. We think it will provide a forum for reflection, forward-thinking and fun.
CURIOSITY CORNER
Did you know that these beauties we're seeing everywhere now in the Willamette Valley are actually artichokes? These gorgeous purple blooms dot the landscape at different wineries and I got curious enough to look it up. I learned that they are indeed artichokes and also learned that artichokes are edible thistles. They thrive in a cool, moist climate but western Oregon is mild enough to grow these perennials if cut back and mulched in the winter.
I took this photo at a winery this past week.
SERENDIPITY SPOTLIGHT:
PAGE KNUDSEN
(pronounced Kah-noodsen)
I felt so privileged that Page agreed to meet with me for a short interview without even knowing for sure what it was about! (Just shows her adventurous and generous spirit.) :)
I met Page Knudsen at an ITC event last month and knew I wanted to get to know her more and that I couldn't wait to schedule Knudsen's vineyard hike experience for my tour guests. (They absolutely loved it by the way! ) If you get a chance to hear first-hand the story of Knudsen and its place in Oregon wine industry, I highly recommend it! You will only be better for knowing Page and her family's story.
First, a little background. Page and her three brothers became connected to this land through their parents, Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen, who established the vineyard in 1971 and were considered one of the true pioneers of the Oregon wine industry.
Cal’s business was vineyard growing and Dick Erath, also one of the true pioneers in winemaking, leased property on their land. In 1987, Knudsen Vineyard became the founding source of fruit for Argyle. After Cal’s passing in 2009, Page and her brothers decided to carry on the legacy to their children and grandchildren. Please take the time to dig a little deeper into their story here.
In June of 2020, they opened The Outlook at Knudsen Vineyard which is devoted to their estate grown wines. They were ecstatic to be able to begin making wine under the family label again and to enhance the value of the Knudsen Vineyard asset by providing a way to showcase their brand and to carry on the family’s love of sharing the many gifts of this place with all of us.
Page is enjoying her very involved role here at The Outlook and would love to meet you or host you on a guided hike on your next visit!
What are some of the Knudsen family values that you would like to see carried on?
Honesty, education, compassion for others, inclusion. We get to share our land, fruit, wines with other people. Maintaining quality is important. The fruit from our vineyard is well known and highly regarded.
We also want to leave a legacy of being good partners and community members. We strive to be good stewards of the land through farming sustainably, water policies, regenerative agriculture. I serve as a board member with a land conservation organization, Trust for Public Land.
What are some things that people may not know about you?
I have three children, ages 32, 30 and 28. One is married. I actually live in Minneapolis. We have a 50th Anniversary Celebration and Harvest Party coming up on September 18th of this year!
Tell us what you love about being a part of the Oregon wine industry?
It is collegial and collaborative and people like to help each other. They’re still competing and yet referring customers to one another. I love the knowledge that has been shared over the years and that it is a truly tight and small industry. By and large, I feel it authentically wants everyone else to do well. “Rising tide raises all boats.” Also love the pride in "Brand Oregon.”
What do you see may need improvement?
The Oregon brand (keeping quality, labeling, etc.).
Where do you see our industry going?
It’s becoming more and more popular. We need to stay focused and implement quality measures. People are coming from everywhere. It would be helpful to be thinking about how we manage what we will become. Asking questions like, “Do we have the infrastructure to support more people – hotels, supermarkets, gas stations – while still retaining our rural character?”
I want to see us continue to be as authentic as possible and not chase trends, honoring the spiritual connection to the land as well. It’s serendipitous when you’re high up and have a view. There’s something about it that is calming and restorative and connecting.
I couldn’t agree more, Page. I’m thankful for serendipitous connections and moments, like this one.
If you haven’t already, I hope you will come meet Page for yourself. You will find her creating new beautiful chapters in the Knudsen story every day.
Comments