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Wine Maker

Wine: Pearmund Cellars, Broad Run, VA
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Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon. Would you like to be the person who creates these wines? Are you eager to learn all the steps that take grapes from the vineyard to the glass? Are you willing to trust your instincts, face challenges, “push the envelope” and learn from your mistakes all in pursuit of producing a fine wine? If so, Chris Pearmund is ready to share with you what it takes to become a successful winemaker on a VocationVacations® career mentorship at Pearmund Cellars, located 45 minutes west of Washington D.C., at the gateway to the Virginia wine country and 150 wineries.

Chris Pearmund began working in restaurants as a teenager, became a chef, and worked in London, Los Angeles and Virginia. During this time, he also became interested in winemaking. “There are a lot of analogies between the bringing together of raw ingredients to produce good food and good wine,” shares Chris. He believes how you use and work with these ingredients make the difference. “You start from scratch and then add the twists.” That is how Chris has approached the making of wine, and his success speaks for itself.

Chris has been in the winemaking business in Virginia since 1990, and today is the winemaker for four wineries, including his own Pearmund Cellars; part owner in six wineries, and is considered the “go-to” guy in the Virginia wine industry. He is committed to pushing the wine industry in Virginia forward. “I want to raise the tide of the industry and create a floor of quality,” says Chris. He described the Virginia winemaking philosophy to be stylistically and geographically somewhere between that of California and Europe. “We are creative and on the cutting edge with new winemaking methods.” And, although Virginia may not be as well known for its wine production as other states, winemaking in Virginia has grown significantly in quality and reputation since production began 30 years ago.

Pearmund Cellars produces a large variety of wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Old Vine Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Chris owns 15 acres of a vineyard which began as an experimental vineyard in 1976. He augments the production from his own vineyard with grapes from others. “I’ve gotten fruit from some of the best growers in the state,” says Chris.

The work day for Chris is varied. “I may be involved in spreading fertilizer, overseeing bottling and advising new winery owners all in the same morning,” explains Chris. He believes to run a successful winery you need to understand six important components of the business: the agricultural side of growing the grapes; the making of the wine; the discipline of running a small business; the retail/customer side of the business; wholesale distribution and government compliance regulations.

Chris has traveled to four continents learning about winemaking. “You can’t be complacent. Sometimes the best ideas come from non-traditional problem solving,” explains Chris. He continues to bring new ideas to the winemaking industry in Virginia and believes that the wine produced may vary from winery to winery, but the behind the scene logistics are the same.

A nationally certified wine judge by the American Wine Society, Chris has taught the Higher Certificate Education course for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, studied the Masters of Wine program in London and has organized and taught classes on how to grow better grapes and how to become a better winemaker. He served as president of the Virginia Vineyards Association from 1996 – 2000.

A winemaking VocationVacation with Chris will give you the opportunity to visit several different wineries and tap into the years of knowledge that have made Chris an expert in his field.

While on your Winemaker VocationVacations® career mentorship with Chris Pearmund at Pearmund Cellars, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Learn the life of a winegrower
  • Walk through and learn about grape growing in one of Virginia’s oldest vineyards, established in 1976
  • Participate in the winemaking activities of the season: Harvest and processing of grapes in September and October; Pressing wine from September through November; Racking, filtering, blending, light lab-work and analyzing and/or bottling throughout the rest of the year
  • Learn from the winemakers, managers and owners of three wineries within ten minutes of one another. All are under the same management, yet different in style and business approach
  • Note: Customization of each VocationVacation will be conducted in order to best fulfill vocationer’s goals to learn as much as possible about grape growing, winemaking and winery management for a successful 5,000+ case production facilities
  • Optional third day for learning more about the retail, business and distribution side of the wine industry
The Winemaker VocationVacations® career mentorship with Chris Pearmund at Pearmund Cellars includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a Winemaker
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacations career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach 
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holidays

Price: $949 Per Person

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Suggested Accommodations

Greyhorse Inn     

Hampton Inn
(Not included in the price of the VocationVacations® holiday)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:
Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:
Each requested date for a VocationVacation is 100% dependent upon the mentor’s approval of dates.  Each Vocationer is required to sign a liability release stating that they are 18 years or older, 21 years or older if the VocationVacation involves the production or serving of alcohol.  Full payment of the VocationVacation is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacation cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases.  Grounded Nomads, LLC dba VocationVacations encourages all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling.