I lived in Napa for 2014-15. Long story.
Winemakers “drink” all day every day. I put the word drink in quotes because they would really just taste and spit. But that said, they had to be constantly running a low BAC. Every day. But they never over indulged either.
Here’s the age at which some famous winemakers died.
Robert Mondavi 94.
Peter Mondavi 101. (I have a photo of him at an event)
Less well known younger brother of Robert
Warren Winiarski 95.
Made the cabernet sauvignon that won at the “Judgment of Paris”
Mike Grgich 100. (I have a photo of him at an event)
Made the chardonay that won at the “Judgment of Paris”
André Tchelistcheff 94
“dean of American winemakers”
Seems like constant alcohol consumption was not a death sentence for these guys.
I love Grgich Chardonnay. We visited their winery a few years ago. It was quite a treat.