I blinked.
Usually, it takes barely a tenth of a second to blink; at most, five milliseconds more. And that’s how it goes: in the fraction of a second it takes to blink, more than 650 days have passed since the last publication on “A Slow Burn,” making it a very fitting name for this blog that’s been running since 2005.
When I shared “The Campaign Closure” in September 2022, I concluded it with a simple and carefree phrase: “This is the end of my campaign that lasted more than six months. I am positive and optimistic, personally happy about life, and profoundly grateful. Let’s continue with ‘A Slow Burn.’”
Today, I propose we celebrate making the most of opportunities, being intentional in seeking out new possibilities, and sharing my discovery of the Quintessa vineyard in Napa Valley, and the warmth and affection of its founders, Valeria and Agustín Huneeus.
And so, without further ado, let’s move towards what awaits us.
We are the protagonists of our own lives. Inevitably.
That’s right: each of us is the main character in our own life. Irremediably and without escape. Whether as heroes or villains, no one plays a secondary role in their own life. There is no emergency exit or hidden shortcut; our journey is unique and personal, neither alien nor belonging to another.
In his work “The End of the Road” (1958), North American novelist and storyteller John Barth writes: “Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story.” And I concur: we’re all the main characters in our own stories. This idea seems fertile ground for me to accept a personal challenge. It is known that Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield (1850) pondered this dilemma by asking if the protagonist was the hero of his own life. Another author who contributed to the concept is Joseph Campbell, American writer and mythologist, who in his work “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” (1949) explores how stories and myths of different cultures share a fundamentally similar structure, one that says each person lives their own hero’s journey and, therefore, is the protagonist of their own story.
These references contribute to the belief that we are all protagonists of our own lives, implying that our choices and perspectives shape our personal journey as if we were the heroes or heroines in a unique and meaningful narrative.
As I mentioned earlier, what challenge does this bring? Why does this observation translate into a personal challenge? Firstly, because it means accepting it. There will certainly be people who accuse this concept of being narcissistic and egocentric. However, I remember the inspiring revelation that came when I faced this idea head-on for the first time, as I never intended on being the main character in any film. Now I understand it’s absolute and completely unquestionable, and I accept the role I’ve been given. And what about you? This concept implicitly challenges us to turn our story into one that’s really worth telling.
How do I want to be remembered? What will my life story be? What impact do I want to have during my brief spell on this earth? What footprints will I leave behind? Who do I want to be here and now? What will my legacy be? Some years ago, I wrote about the script of our lives, proposing to write and live in a way that’s incredibly personal. After all, on tombstones, the date of birth and the date of death are usually marked with a line in between. Without going too deeply into it, does that line represent the passage of life? Interestingly, in Spanish, the word for ‘line’ is also the same as for ‘script’, which makes me think that perhaps they mean the same thing: we’re protagonists in our own scripts.
So, as they used to say on film sets: Silence on set! Sound! Lights! Camera! Action!
The difference between luck and serendipity
Some people are lucky. In the sense that some seem to have had an abundance of luck, not just once, but many times. Is it a sure thing? What would Elon Musk say about his luck? Or Pavarotti about his voice?
From different reliable sources like Gramophone, there’s a piece about this operatic powerhouse that illustrates this concept well. Once, someone congratulated him for the marvellous voice that God gave him. Pavarotti accepted the compliment with grace and elegance but added something important: “Yes, God has given me this voice, but it took years of practice and hard work to make it what it is today.”
Of all the definitions of luck, I like the one that was said by a few different people, from Seneca to Spielberg, in slightly different variations: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” However, I think I prefer my version: “Luck is an opportunity that’s seized.” However, the most commonly accepted definition is that luck is a sequence of events considered fortuitous or casual. On the other hand, you have serendipity, which is defined as finding something valuable either accidentally or casually. It is also said that serendipity refers to accidentally finding something valuable while searching for something else.
The first European encounter with the lands of the New World in 1492, led by Christopher Columbus, was serendipitous. He was looking for India. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 was serendipitous. He was investigating the antibacterial properties of various substances. The microwave oven, invented by Percy Spencer in 1945, was also a result of serendipity. While working with a radar magnetron in 1945, he noticed that a chocolate bar had melted in his pocket. There are countless other examples of serendipity. What all these and other cases have in common is that they occurred in the context of someone trying to discover something. In all these real stories, there was a deliberate search or investigation mixed with a passion that could be described as an exciting combination of love and madness.
For all these reasons, I defend the idea that serendipity must be intentional. In 2014, I wrote on my blog about the importance of creating conditions and circumstances that favor unexpected discoveries or outcomes. To find the promised land, sometimes you have to search outside of your comfort zone, even if that means wandering through the desert for forty years.
Although classic serendipity refers to accidental outcomes while searching for something different, intentional serendipity suggests being deliberate and creating favorable conditions for exploration. That is to say, we must consciously design actions that generate the environment, connections, and circumstances that bring about serendipity.
As Cristiano Ronaldo said recently: “Talent without work is meaningless.” In an adapted and fictitious version, I might add: “Do you want luck? I recommend training until you’re completely exhausted, searching for it, and working hard until you achieve it. Of course, that’s exactly what success requires.”
To sum up, to bring about innovative and successful outcomes, you need deliberate processes because sometimes the most important outcomes come from unexpected opportunities and fortuitous connections.
The culmination of a fabulous journey in Quintessa
The history of Quintessa and the Huneeus isn’t just a story about an amazing vineyard in Napa Valley but rather a living testimony of how dedication and passion can make your dreams come true.
Through the years, Valeria and Agustín have created masterpieces in both winemaking and business, where each wine isn’t just the result of perfect geographical conditions but also the fruit of an unwavering commitment to excellence. It is visible everywhere.
Agustín, at 91 years old, greeted us with a warmth that deeply impacted me. Together with Valeria, they prepared a delicious lentil soup and shared a lengthy conversation with us. My dear friend Nicolás Shea, an extraordinary person whom I’ll speak about later, had taken me to their home. The next day, Agustin surprised us again by preparing fried eggs with care and elegance, demonstrating his love for life and attention to every detail at Quintessa. From his global experience at Concha y Toro to his contribution to Seagram’s, Agustin has left his mark on the wine industry through his vision and tenacity.
Valeria, who has a PhD in microbiology and is the main architect of Quintessa, has been a vital force behind the vineyard’s success. Her ability to combine science and art has been fundamental in creating an environment where the earth and vine thrive in harmony. Each bottle of Quintessa is the result of this couple’s meticulous dedication and profound respect for nature and community.
In that brief stay in Quintessa of around 20 hours, I could feel not only the beauty of the landscape and the elegance of its wines but also the warm and generous nature of its creators. Every detail in Quintessa breathes a story of constant search for harmony, peace, and perfection.
As I contemplated the hills and the lake surrounding the vineyards, I realized that true luck and serendipity don’t simply happen; they are often the result of years of passionate hard work and a clear vision. Valeria and Agustin have not only created an exceptional wine but have also embodied a life philosophy that celebrates a deep connection between art, nature, and community.
In a phone call with Agustin yesterday, he told me an anecdote: “I’m about 20 minutes from the Bay Bridge to pass from Napa to San Francisco. I’m driving slowly, and as I prepare to pay, I realize I’ve left my wallet in Quintessa. And I know that when you arrive without cash at the toll, they take you to another booth. So I said to myself, ‘I’m going headfirst into a problem. I don’t have my license, and this is going to be complicated.’ I prepared myself in the toll booth line to give an explanation. And then, when I got to the girl, she said, ‘Go ahead, the car in front has paid for you.’ And that’s all I need to say for this story.”
Whether it was luck or serendipity, someone who knew Agustin saw him in the car behind in the queue. As a small gesture of courtesy and goodwill, they paid his toll fee without realizing the relief and surprise it would bring. I think that, indeed, you reap what you sow, and for this reason, a good deed was rewarded at the most opportune moment.
Yesterday, Agustin said to me: “Many things like this have happened to me, and I wonder if that’s serendipity.” And as someone who didn’t notice at the moment the dimension and power of the idea he was about to share with me, he added his favorite saying: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” And as our pleasant and warm conversation drew to a close, he said: “Life is choosing between all the options and alternatives that life presents to you.” From the moment the first contract was signed to each annual harvest, Quintessa is the result of an insatiable search for quality and authenticity. A unique story is told in every sip, reflecting the dedication and mastery of its creators. The legacy of Valeria and Agustin in Quintessa will stand steadfast like a lighthouse of inspiration, reminding us that in this journey we call life, each of us has the power to be the main character in our own story and to positively influence the world around us.
Less visible within them is the art of detachment. They’ve mastered this art not once but multiple times. One example is when they left Chile behind. It meant detaching from their country of origin, their initial career there, and many personal and professional connections they had established. Detachment in this context could have been both emotional and physical as they had to leave behind the familiar in search of new opportunities and security.
Just like the vineyards of Quintessa harmoniously blend with the Napa Valley landscape, Valeria and Agustin’s lives intertwine with the hearts of those privileged enough to visit them and enjoy the fruit of their labor. Their legacy is not only in the rich, complex, silky wine produced with great care but also in their personal life and how their passion, perseverance, and love for what they do can create an everlasting impact on history and the lives of those around them.
To my dear friends Vale and Cucho: I’ll be eternally grateful to you. And to you, Nicolas Shea, for inviting me on this trip that left a profound impact on my heart.
Cheers!
La Serendipia Debe Ser Intencional. Mayo 28, 2014. A Fuego Lento