Balanced & Tipsy with Janet Beeby
Janet Beeby, as are many women in the Washington Wine Industry, is a person of many hats. She is the Wine Director at Halfseas Bottleshop in Seattle, a wine educator, a wine writer, a mother, and a mentor. Her goal is to make wine and wine education accessible. When one is bitten by the wine bug it is often a consequence of direct contact with an already overly enthusiastic and passionate wine individual. Janet knows this, has experienced this, and thus leads with foundation, fun, passion, and enthusiasm to bring the sometimes daunting reality of pursuing a career or interest in wine some whimsy - especially in these tipsy times.
Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you got bitten by the wine bug.
Hi! I’m Janet Beeby and I am currently the Wine Director at Halfseas Bottleshop.
I am an educator and a wine writer. I also love doing personalized wine pairings and events. I’m basically a big cheerleader for wine!
My excitement for wine started several years ago while scrambling around in the dirt at Iron Horse Vineyards in Sonoma. The winemaker, David Munksgard, took a few friends and me on an off-roading adventure through the vineyards. As David showed me the graft on a vine, he looked like he had just opened the best gift he'd ever been given. David's enthusiasm and the way he told his story broke something open in me that sent me down the wine route I've been careening along ever since.
What kinds of formal education did you pursue to help you achieve your goals in your work, and what kind of roll has your education played in the paths you have taken?
After that lightning bolt in Sonoma, I reached out to David to ask what the best route would be to learn more. He recommended WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers. I took his advice! I am a Certified Sommelier and have my Advanced WSET accreditation. I have been keeping up with my studies through the Wine Scholar Guild. I have really enjoyed the programs and am now a French and Spanish wine Scholar.
You yourself are an educator, can you tell us about your teaching philosophy, and the kinds of classes you teach?
I think learning about wine is like building with Lego. At first, all these bricks seem to have nothing to do with one another – but then you start clicking away, and all of a sudden, something recognizable emerges.
Learning about wine can be like that. It can feel daunting – the information is vast, varied, and totally overwhelming! But, with perseverance and patience, more is discovered, more connections can be made, and more understanding can happen. One brick at a time!
In my classes, I really try to focus on foundations and fun. I like to tell stories about winemakers and use food as a teaching tool. So many times, students feel unsure about wine, but they know what food they enjoy. Helping make the connection between wine and food and the idea that what grows together – goes together can be an exciting revelation and wine pairing lesson!
I enjoy helping students feel like wine is accessible – that it is a part of our shared history as humans and that it really is a lot about families, farmers, and yes … food!
What importance has mentorship played in your career, as both a mentor and mentee?
I have been helped along the way by other teachers, by chefs, and by wine reps – I remember texting a favorite rep to ask about what the difference between a mark-up and a margin was. I felt like an idiot, but he was so patient and gracious, and really that sort of guidance has meant the world to me.
We all bring different skills to the table. Do you want me to write a curriculum for a Northern Italian wine class or pair wine to rockfish ceviche? I’m your person, but things like spreadsheets are tough for me. I am very thankful to those who have been so generous with their knowledge. I like the idea of a hive-mind!
As a mentor, I want to put someone at ease. I want them to feel like I am there for support but that they also have the power to learn in a way that resonates. We all learn in different ways.
As a woman, a mother, educator, expatriate, and business owner, what does it mean to find balance in your life?
I find it sometimes challenging to balance my work and life, but I feel fortunate that I have a supportive family that shares in the load at home.
I do try to make sure I’m doing something for myself. For example, I really like to go to the bouldering gym and climb things. It makes me feel like a kid.
You have been working really hard lately, and have a brand new business to announce! Tell us about Halfseas.
Yes! I have been working with Jen Doak and the Brimmer and Heeltap team to open up Seattle’s newest little bottle shop! Halfseas came from a seed of an idea – to bring wine to the neighborhood and to make it a fun and accessible place where questions are encouraged and where wine is inviting for everyone.
It seemed only natural to Jen and me that as things open up a bit more and we all learn to “human” again, we might create a gathering place to share our love of wine and food.
We are planning to offer tastings, classes and other fun events!
Halfseas is an old English term meaning for all intents and purposes, “Tipsy.”
The bottle shop is focused on wine from around the world and from winemakers that are making smart agricultural choices – to preserve the land and to farm in a way that is kind to both the earth and to those of us who enjoy raising a glass now and then.
Follow Janet @pairableseattle and visit her website pairableseattle.com
Halfseas opened June 2nd! Follow them online at halfseaswine.com and on Instagram @halfseswine
Halfseas is located at: 425 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107 206-420-2534
