Margo Van Staaveren - Applaud Women

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Inspirational Woman of Wine: Margo Van Staaveren
by Emily Pietro

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For most of us, being around wine all day is simply a fantasy, or a great way to spend a relaxing weekend, but for
Margo Van Staaveren of Sonoma Valley’s Chateau St. Jean, this fantasy is a reality.

Originally from San Rafael, Margo now lives in Glen Ellen. She has been working with Chateau St. Jean for 25
years, her entire career except for one harvest. Amazingly enough, she did not always think that she would work in
the wine industry. “My journey first started when I ended up at the University of California at Davis. I was intending to
go into special education but unfortunately when I arrived I realized there was no such department at UC Davis,”
Margo laughs. “So I started taking psychology courses, then I took calculus and organic chemistry. I really liked
those topics, so naturally I gravitated towards them. I briefly thought about the winemaking department because I
was aware of the industry. I started taking courses that were more applicable towards a degree in fermentation
science.” Margo says that once she decided to pursue this discipline, the evidence of her passion was immediate.

Margo has grown along with the company. In her 30 years with Chateau St. Jean, she has held every position from
lab technician, to lab manager, to assistant and associate winemaker, and now, she is head winemaker. “It was
probably one of the slowest progressions within Chateau St. Jean, but for me, it was totally worth it.”

Despite her slow climb to the top, Margo has not lost any of her enthusiasm along the way; rather, it has flourished.
“Everything about producing a great wine is a challenge, especially since it’s mostly based in agriculture and we can’
t completely control the crops. People forget that wine doesn’t just come out of a box, it comes from a field. The
wine we produce is based on the growing and harvest season, and we always try our hardest to maximize the
potential of the harvest.”

Looking at her thirty years with the company, Margo has seen immense growth within it. “I have been able to help
develop new programs, I have seen new wines introduced, and I have helped maintain and manage a site of thirty-
five employees. It’s been a hurdle at times, but extremely satisfying. I even met my husband here!”

Like all mothers with jobs, Margo has had her fair share of struggles between working full time and raising a family.
“Working in the wine industry is an amazing job, but it’s not the greatest ‘mom job’. You’re away and extremely busy
at harvest for two to three months per year, so it’s especially challenging during this time. But in contrast, it’s so
great and exciting to be able to walk through the vineyard and taste the grapes and get a sense of what might turn
out in the barrels, to see the whole process. I love watching people enjoy what we create and knowing that I helped
influence the final product by making harvesting decisions,” she explains.

As someone who has built her career around wine, Margo has more information on tap than the average wine
enthusiast. “The best thing I can tell anyone,” she says, “is when you’re trying to choose a wine, choose what you
like, despite what anyone tells you. If you know you like a certain type, just get it and don’t worry too much about
matching your wine with your occasion. Things can get way too complicated. Enjoy your wine.” Margo lives by a
lighthearted sentiment: “Never waste a wine calorie!” She also wanted to dispell the myth that aged wine always
means better wine. “Some wines are meant to be enjoyed young, such as Riesling. Wine continues to age in the
bottle, not just in the barrel, so choose wisely!”

As for her advice for women, Margo shares: “No matter what career you choose, you have to make sure that you
enjoy what you make or do. Like for wine, you really have to enjoy it to really want to make it. There has to be a
driving passion behind your career choice – find your passion and pursue it. We all have to realize that our careers
are about making it work for us. Too many people think that it’s up to their employers to make their jobs wonderful,
but it really has to come from within you.” It is evident that Margo takes her own advice, since she has not only met
great success, but she also enjoys what she does to the fullest.

For more information about Chateau St. Jean, check out their website at www.chateaustjean.com.