WAY BEYOND WINE
THE WILLIAMSON WINES STORY
Way Beyond Wine
From Values to Action
You have met the people and enjoyed the wines. Now discover how Dawn and Bill Williamson turned a business trip to California into a winery, a community and a very different way of life.
Way Beyond Wine is Bill’s candid account of building Williamson Wines by listening closely to customers, making thoughtful decisions and turning firmly held values into practical action.
It is a wine story, certainly—but the lessons travel well beyond the vineyard.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK
Building More Than a Winery
The wine business demands capital, patience, technical skill, long-term planning, uncompromising quality control and the ability to bring good people together.
Even then, it may not work.
That is enough to make sensible people run in the opposite direction. Yet some of the world’s most interesting wines come from small family wineries whose owners accept the risks because they care deeply about the vineyards, the wine and the life surrounding them.
Dawn and Bill chose that path.
They brought their experience in technology, business and international wine to Healdsburg, then built Williamson Wines by listening to customers and allowing those relationships to shape the experiences, policies and products of the business.
The result became more than a collection of wines. It became a connected life of vineyards, food, hospitality, travel and friendships formed around the table.
Bill Williamson
Winemaker, entrepreneur and author of Way Beyond Wine: From Values to Action
THE PRACTICAL IDEA
Turning Values into Action
Values are useful only when they influence what we actually do.
Way Beyond Wine presents a practical, repeatable approach to making better choices, working successfully with other people and moving worthwhile ideas from intention to action.
The principles apply equally well to business and personal life. They are not presented as abstract management theory. They appear in real decisions—choosing a new direction, building a team, responding to setbacks, listening to customers and knowing when an opportunity is worth pursuing.
The book’s approach also aligns naturally with many of the leadership qualities identified by Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood and Kate Sweetman in The Leadership Code. In Way Beyond Wine, however, those principles are shown at work in everyday business and life.
INSIDE WAY BEYOND WINE
What You Will Discover
Building Around Your Values
How clearly understood values can guide difficult decisions and keep a business moving in a consistent direction.
Listening to Customers
How genuine customer relationships helped shape Williamson Wines, its products and the experiences surrounding them.
Turning Decisions into Action
A straightforward approach to moving from a good idea to practical action without becoming trapped in endless deliberation.
Getting Things Done Together
Why leadership depends on trust, collaboration, communication and helping other people do their finest work.
Responding to Change
Lessons from technology, vineyards and the wine business about adapting without abandoning the principles that matter.
Living Well Along the Way
A reminder that success should leave room for wine, food, travel, friendship and the people with whom life is shared.
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
For Anyone Ready to Turn an Idea into a Life
Way Beyond Wine will appeal to entrepreneurs, business leaders, wine lovers and anyone considering a meaningful change in direction.
It is also for Williamson members who have met the people, enjoyed the wines and wondered how the whole unlikely adventure began.
You do not need to own a vineyard or run a company. You need only to be interested in making good choices, acting with purpose and enjoying the journey while it is happening.
PRAISE FOR WAY BEYOND WINE
What Readers Are Saying
“It is way beyond the wine. This is a great story about the birth and evolution of Williamson Wines, creating the ultimate client experience and living the dream. I loved it.”
Mary Toomey
Senior Vice President
Silicon Valley Bank
“Bill Williamson’s ‘Live It Now’ focus on life is a positive and powerful message for everyone.”
Marty O’Donohue
Group Chairman
Vistage International
“Our Executive MBA students were thrilled by the real-world examples and the connection between The Leadership Code and Way Beyond Wine. They found the presentation inspiring and dynamic.”
Sarah Dove and Dr. William S. Silver
School of Business and Economics
Sonoma State University
THE STORY BEHIND THE WINES
You Have Tasted the Result.
Now Discover the Journey.
Way Beyond Wine is the story of how Dawn and Bill Williamson built a wine business around their values—and a practical guide to turning your own values into meaningful action.
There is wine, naturally. There is also business, leadership, food, friendship and the useful reminder that life is happening now.