Our Cwenes - Lucy Spain

Tell us what you do and the path you travelled to get there: 

I initially discovered wine through observing my father’s wine club far before I was old enough to understand the enigmatic liquid. I remember watching my father and his friends drink wine in a manner that resembled a roundtable of scholars, wise men digging into an unknown realm guided by printed labels, corks, and the ritualistic swirl of a glass. Something about the reverence it portrayed made the beverage seem elusive and unattainable. At that moment I made a mental note to someday obtain the wisdom I would need to confidently sit around a table like the one I'd observed.

Like many bohemians I found myself working in the hospitality industry which served up a healthy dish of familiarity no matter where I landed, a welcoming atmosphere full of sensory delights and fast cash. These experiences began to broaden my exposure to wine beyond what my youthful eyes had initially seen. As comfortable as I felt inside of these bars and restaurants, I did feel uncomfortable by the lack of gender diversity, especially at a leadership level. I’d later learn that most women can relate to this experience and ultimately this imbalance is what drives many of us to deviate from traditional career paths. After experiencing this in other fields I’d worked in (entertainment and technology) I remembered my childhood urge to assert my belonging in a space where I only saw men. I decided I would have a career in this industry, and it would be firmly rooted in a solid foundation of knowledge that no one could dispute.

I moved to New York City in my early 20s, a culinary gem where I’d be able to get my foot firmly inside the world of wine. My first job was as a ‘Promotional Model’, an agency hired by beverage brands to pour their products in stores and restaurants. As a woman, I knew it would be much easier to get a job with ‘model’ in the title rather than ‘educator’ or ‘expert’. With each job I received sheets of paper describing their corresponding beverage in detail. It wasn’t long before I found myself deep in a world of geography, science, history, agriculture, climate, and culture, things I never imagined could fit inside a 750ml bottle. My thirst for knowledge and studious habits paid off, I was deemed a top educator and began working at events like The Food Network's New York City Wine and Food Festival. It was these opportunities that provided the exposure I needed to see myself not only belonging but succeeding. As my thirst continued to grow, I began pursuing various certifications and visiting wineries all over the world. 

If you could give 20 year old you some advice on life, what would it be?

1. If you like something enough to spend your hard-earned money on it (whether it be caftans or wine) there’s immense value in learning more about it.

2. There can be something quite appealing about being a successful woman in a male dominated field. By asserting yourself and stating ‘I belong’ you’re paving the way for other marginalized individuals to do the same. Once you have your foot in that door, give people opportunities, you never know which one is going to change the direction of their life.

3. When you are under-represented it is essential that you author your own story. We must show people who we are and how we want to be seen before they tell us. 

4. No matter how ‘established’ an industry may seem, time moves away from the past and into the future where fun, diversity, accessibility, and technology are key.  

5. Change and challenge are where we learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to switch from one career to the next, you’ll find you don’t have to sacrifice tenure and experience from your previous work, rather you learn how to apply it creatively to add value in unconventional ways.

To keep up with Lucy's wine writing and adventures, subscribe to her Substack, Modern Wine.