Get to Know : Madelyn Calderón

When we first reached out to Madelyn Calderón, she was in her first trimester of her first pregnancy and preparing for harvest, only a few months off. We were confirming her details in late August when we found out she was in a new position at J. Bookwalter Winery for the 2021 harvest. When we asked why, we were deeply saddened and stunned by her response. We wanted to be supportive any way we could.

Madelyn came back to us after harvest, and after having time to think about her situation, and answered our questions from a new perspective.

It is hard to be pregnant and working in the wine industry, how do you curb your cravings?

I am currently finishing up my first trimester of my first pregnancy. I have been blessed with no morning sickness, just a little fatigue and LOTS of hunger. I always have "emergency snacks" of all kinds ready at my disposal! And I've learned to take more breaks and work at the pace baby is deciding.

What is something that has surprised you with pregnancy/ motherhood?

I was going through interview processes when I just found out I was pregnant. After I had known I was getting the job and they were building my job offer, I decided to let my employer know I was pregnant. I was really scared of doing this, afraid that this could change their mind on hiring me or the timeline of things. I told them that I want to keep working through pregnancy and that I don't want this to change how this year will be. To my surprise he said, " You know, I have six daughters who are all farmers. So I'm used to strong women. This is such a blessing for you and we are so happy for this news." This was the BEST reaction I was hoping for!

Do you think the wine industry is flexible to support your balance between your career and motherhood? 

Yes, I believe that the wine industry is accommodating to women going through childbirth and coming back to work

What sort of choices / sacrifices / comprises did you have to make to start a family?

One of the biggest choices I made at when to have a child was making sure the baby won't be born during harvest! This is both for my sanity and my workplace. I am nervous about coming into the 2021 harvest with being 7-9 months pregnant. But I believe that people will see the dedication I have put in and be understanding when it becomes too hard for me. 

Do you want your children to follow your footsteps, why and why not?

I hope my child can see that I have built this dream for years and followed my passion with patience and persistence, and that one day they will be in a career that they feel the same way about; either in wine or not.

Were there any assumptions about being pregnant while working in the wine industry that you had to confront?

I understand that people want to protect me as a pregnant woman, but I know my limits. I've had to confront people when I believe I am able to do a task and may think it's better for someone else.

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A word from Madelyn :

A lot has changed between the first trimester when I wrote this, and now in my last trimester counting down the weeks to my due date.

After working just a couple months as the assistant winemaker, things became tense between the owners and I. I was ultimately let go a month before harvest started because of our differences and my inability to help with harvest. This really came as a blow to me because I was ready to stay there for years. But now that I’m gone, I am in such a better place and know it was for a reason.

That being said, I still was very shocked about their change from hiring me and reassuring me that my pregnancy was not going to change anything- to letting me go saying my pregnancy was interfering with my job. Through many friends and other women in the wine industry, especially Alliance of Women in Washington Wine, I can find myself supported and moving to a better place!

Now I am working part time at J. Bookwalter Winery in their cellar and lab, finding the perfect balance of ways I can help being 8 months pregnant and still getting the rest I need. Their cellar and staff have been so amazing to me and I am so thankful to have good people around me!

Madelyn is lab and cellar hand at J. Bookwalter Winery in Richland, Washington. Follow her @themadginger,