If you are wine enthusiast, you may have wondered how you could become a winemaker and make your own award winning wines. Whether you’re an aspiring vintner, a small business dreamer, or simply someone who loves a good comeback story with a glass of red in hand, this book is a must-read.
My guest this week is David Sheldon with his new book “
Follow the author as he makes a life-changing decision that will determine his future for the next fifty years. Starting in the corporate world, he then ventured into his own plastics business. After twenty years, he finally “retired,” only to devote every spare moment to establishing two vineyards, a winery, and a small-scale farm raising Red Angus cattle. Defying the odds in this consumer-driven business, he has managed to zig, then zag, his way through a myriad of challenges-some forced upon him, while others he’ll forthrightly admit were his own doing-as he tries to find the right formula for the business. Not without his fair share of reflective thinking, he shares his stories and imparts a bit of the wisdom he has. Get a copy NOW!
About the Author:
“My Path to Drinking Wine Every Night”, a memoir and entrepreneurial story published in March 2025. His career began in the corporate world, where he held positions at companies like UTC, TRW, and King-Seeley Thermos. Despite professional success, Sheldon struggled with corporate politics and the pressure of high-stakes roles, eventually developing stress-related health issues, including angina symptoms.
After thirteen years in corporate life, he made a bold transition into entrepreneurship, running a plastics manufacturing business for two decades. When he retired at age 55, rather than settling into quiet leisure, he pursued an entirely new venture by starting two vineyards, opening a winery, and managing a small Red Angus cattle farm. His memoir captures the unpredictable highs and lows of that chapter, offering an honest look at the lessons, mistakes, and personal growth that came with starting over.
The book blends humor, introspection, and business wisdom as Sheldon reflects on his journey of reinvention. More than a story about wine, it’s a reflection on resilience, risk-taking, and finding satisfaction in life’s second acts. His nightly glass of wine becomes both a ritual and a symbol of survival, joy, and perspective.
David R. Sheldon is the co-founder of Hampton Roads Winery in Surry County, Virginia, along with his wife, Diane. Their story is one of vision, grit, and a love for wine that turned into a full-blown family venture. From vineyard rows to Red Angus cattle, David’s second act in life is anything but quiet
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2022 LAROCHE MAS LA CHEVALIERE CHARDONNAY, IGP PAYS D’OC, LANGUEDOC, FRANCE.
La Chevaliere Chardonnay is a clear pale straw color. Strong citrusy aromas on the nose, with yellow-fruit richness. Bright flavors of ripe fruit; good balance and aromatic finish. La Chevaliere, or “the knight’s lady,” is a reference to “Mas La Chevaliere” which is literally the “farmhouse of the knight’s lady,” the Laroche winery in southern France where this wine is produced. 100% Unoaked Chardonnay ABV13%
WE 92 – This wine is substantial, but doesn’t brag about it. It opens with a nose of bright-green orchard fruit and hints of lemon curd and gooseberry. Intriguing wisps of concentration emerge on the midpalate and continue through to the long finish.
Normally $16, Sale at Jacob LIquor on N. Rock Road $9.99