Leadership in Wine #36 - Thomas Moschetta

Thomas' experience in the wine industry to date has been centred on growing and strengthening trade sales distribution. He spent two years based between Paris and Amsterdam as an area manager for Coravin. Thomas was the first sales employee hired for the French market. At the end of his two years in the company, Thomas and his team were successful in absolutely anchoring the Coravin brand in the French market place and entering the product into France’s top restaurants, wine bars, shops and wineries.

Over the last 12 months, Thomas worked as a trade sales manager for the Château de Pommard in Burgundy. He worked alongside Michael Baum (CEO of Château de Pommard) to open up trade sales, identify opportunities and was encouraged to take the lead in further establishing the brand.

Through these experiences, Thomas has expressed initiative, learnt to work in a team structure and developed a strong passion and interest in how wine is made. Alongside his professional sales career, he has continued to seek out opportunities to learn, gaining additional wine knowledge and involving himself as much as possible in the wine making process.

Since October 2018 Thomas has been the cellar door manager at Kinross in Gibbston, Central Otago. Kinross is a cellar door for six boutique wineries from Central Otago: Coal Pit, Domaine Thomson, Hawkshead, Kinross, Valli and Wild Irishman (an Alan Brady wine label). Thomas has four years experience in the wine industry.

 

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is about having a vision and sharing it positively and enthusiastically. A good leader knows their trade and can be counted on to lead by example. Inspiring ambition, initiative and creativity in other employees.

 

What are the main challenges of being a leader in the wine industry today?

Promotions are hard to come by and it might take a lot of time to find the right place or a company that will invest in your professional development and growth within the company.

 

What are your major breakthroughs in your career to become the leader you are now?

I have always trusted and believed in the vision of my CEO’s. Realizing that there will often be negative judgment or criticism so you need to be brave and trust yourself and the goal. Have empathy. Go fast BUT far.

 

If you were starting your career in 2019 in the wine industry, what advice would you give to yourself to become successful and content?

You don’t have to have the title as “manager” to be a leader. You can exercise leadership in all parts of a business structure. Respect diversity, engage in discussion and be open to continually learning.