Pouring Passion: A Personal Reflection on My Journey with Wine, Wisdom, and Stewardship

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”—Mary Oliver

This question by the poet Mary Oliver has always resonated deeply with me. It’s a compass I return to often, especially as I reflect on the winding path that’s brought me here—standing at the intersection of wine, mindfulness, and regenerative agriculture.

Recently, I had the great honor of being featured in Santa Barbara Coast City Lifestyle in an article titled “Pouring Passion: Chiara Shannon Blends Wisdom With Wine.”  Written by the talented Tracy Marcynzsyn and beautifully photographed by Emily Merrill, the piece captures the heart of my mission and the journey that led me to create Mindful Wine experiences and bespoke consulting services.

Wine as a Bridge to More Intentional Living

When I was first introduced to wine over 20 years ago, I had no idea that it would become a lifelong passion and profession. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into a deep dive. I was fascinated by wine’s ability to express not only flavor but place—its geography, history, and culture. That curiosity led me to my first role in the industry at Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa, and from there, my journey began in earnest.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: sommelier, wine buyer, retail manager, educator, consultant. And through it all, one constant remained—my desire to engage with wine as something more than a beverage. I see it as a bridge: to deeper understanding, to shared stories, and to more intentional living.

In parallel with my wine journey, I found another path through yoga and mindfulness. Becoming a certified yoga teacher helped me understand the importance of presence, breath, and connection—not just with ourselves but with the world around us. To me, wine and mindfulness are deeply intertwined. Just as we learn to listen to our breath and body in yoga, we can learn to listen to the land, the vines, and the subtle messages in every glass of wine.

Mindful Wine is more than a business—it’s a philosophy. When I work with clients and students, my aim is to inspire conscious enjoyment and deepen our understanding of how wine connects us to nature, to each other, and to the choices we make every day. Whether I’m leading a tasting, curating a private event, or consulting with a brand, it all comes back to the same core values: sustainability, intention, and education.

Groundstar Vineyard: Resilience, Regeneration, and Hope

One of the most exciting chapters in this journey is unfolding now. My husband Joseph and I recently became the new stewards of an extraordinary 80-acre vineyard estate in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County that we have named Groundstar Vineyard. Formerly Ampelos Cellars—first in the nation to achieve certification for organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farming—we proudly continue this legacy of sustainable stewardship with a new name and fresh vision.

As I shared in our press release, the name “Groundstar” honors a rare, local wildflower—the Santa Ynez groundstar—that was once believed to be extinct but has recently been rediscovered near the property. I see it as a powerful symbol of resilience, regeneration, and hope. Our vision includes transitioning Groundstar to Regenerative Organic Certified®, a holistic standard that prioritizes soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.

As we continue this journey, education remains at the heart of everything we do. We plan to open the property to host events that raise awareness about sustainable and regenerative agriculture, wine education, and wellness. It’s about creating a space for learning, connection, and community.

Ultimately, it all circles back to a simple truth: we are all connected. What we do to the land, we do to ourselves. Through Mindful Wine and now Groundstar Vineyard, I hope to be of service—to share what I’ve learned, to inspire others to think more deeply about what’s in their glass, and to remind us all that wine can be a beautiful vehicle for positive change.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. I invite you to read the full article here, and I welcome you to explore more about what we’re building at mindfulwine.co and groundstarvineyard.com.

With gratitude and intention,

Chiara Shannon

Mindful Wine™

Photography @emilymerrillphoto