“A Really Goode Job” Comes to a Close- Hardy Wallace Bids Farewell

Posted on 12. Feb, 2010 by Hardy Wallace in Social Media, Wine Country Lifestyle

IMG_2933(Jamie Jamison, Chef Debbie Gold, Al Samuelson, and this guy, 1st day on the job in KC)

There is no way I can easily write this post.  To try and some up the last six months in a single post is just not possible.  I thought of a video, a photo essay, a tweetstorm (don’t know if that exists, but it sounds good), but perhaps just a few words on the page would work the best.

Getting here and being hired on by Murphy-Goode was an amazing experience.  I owe everything to those who supported my dream, my friends, family, Tracy, and the online communities who pushed me, and who made me get up and go when I thought I had nothing more to give.  When I look back, those were the hardest days, but perhaps the most life-changing–  Where I clearly saw that everything and anything was possible in life, and where I was encouraged to risk it all for a shot at my dream.  I thank everyone for this.

Life in Healdsburg:  What can I say?  This is paradise for anyone who loves wine, food, and most importantly– people / community.  My friends who have come through have been blown away, and I am so lucky to have found a new home.  If you haven’t made a trip to Sonoma County, put it on your list.  It is a special place in the universe.

Murphy-Goode:  The one thing I heard from the very beginning from our most loyal fans- “We like your wines, but we LOVE your people.”  There are thousands of wineries out there, many make good juice, but when it comes to something as personal as wine, you really want to deal with the people you love.  It is more than a product, it is a story, a connection, a spot on the path of life where you stop to say hello.  The people at Murphy-Goode are great people.  Winemaker Dave Ready Jr. is the heart and soul of this brand. When you meet him, you walk away a friend.  I hope you find that in every bottle you pick up.

Value of Social Media:  I just posted about that here, but whether in wine or any other industry, the value is in connection and relationships, and fortunately, that is the fun part too.  I am grateful for all of the life long friends I have met along this journey.

The Future:  I leave Murphy-Goode in very capable hands.  To keep in touch with me, feel free to follow me @dirtysouthwine or at www.dirtysouthwine.com

This has been the most incredible ride of my life, and the future looks amazing.  I hope to meet you on the path.

With heartfelt thanks,

Hardy Wallace

52 Responses to ““A Really Goode Job” Comes to a Close- Hardy Wallace Bids Farewell”

  1. The Beer Wench

    12. Feb, 2010

    Hardy,

    You are truly inspirational.

    I feel that, in the short time you spent out here, we have had some really memorable moments. Thank you so much for helping to inspire me to throw caution to the wind and move across country in the pursuit of happiness, good wine & good food.

    Thank you for welcoming me to CA.

    Thank you for hosting amazing events. Thank you for letting me be involved in them.

    Thank you for educating me on wine.

    Thank you for sharing your wine with me.

    Thank you for being so hospitable.

    Thank you, Hardy, for being awesome.

    You + life = #win.

    – Wenchie

    Reply to this comment

  2. Andy's Goode Life

    12. Feb, 2010

    *sigh*

    What a ride, Hardy! What an amazing ride! (And who knew that 6 months would go by so fast? — Just about a year ago we were hearing about this job… and now? Pfew, what a ride!)

    Best wishes to you and sweet times at DirtySouthWine!

    Reply to this comment

  3. Al

    12. Feb, 2010

    Hardy, we’ll miss you. Great having you in Kansas City on your way to Healdsburg,

    Reply to this comment

    • Hardy Wallace

      12. Feb, 2010

      Thank you Al. Your picture is not there by chance. I had an amazing time in KC with you and the crew. KC is GOODE people!!!!

      Reply to this comment

  4. Patti Davis

    12. Feb, 2010

    Hardy – As grateful as you have been for Murphy-Goode, I’m willing to bet that they are doubly grateful for you.

    Everyone that meets YOU comes away a friend. You are a remarkable person and I can’t wait to see where the future takes you.

    xoxo
    Patti

    Reply to this comment

  5. Hardy Wallace

    12. Feb, 2010

    Patti,
    Thank you so much for your support and encouragement through this entire journey. Look forward to seeing you again! Thank you!!!!!

    Reply to this comment

  6. Tanya Melillo

    12. Feb, 2010

    SO happy for you Hardy! I’ve loved getting to know you and I’m excited to see what’s next. You’ve done an outstanding job.

    -Tanya

    Reply to this comment

  7. Joe

    12. Feb, 2010

    Well done, sir!

    Probably wishful thinking, but we’ve been holding down the fort for you in Atlanta…

    Reply to this comment

  8. Todd Havens

    12. Feb, 2010

    HAR-DEEEE!

    I alternate back and forth between thinking no time has passed since the “A Really Goode Job” campaign started and “OMG, Hardy’s STILL up there living the Goode life?!?” :)

    Like you said when you were chosen, this was your dream job before it even existed. I’m sure it’s been rewarding on more levels that you ever expected and that you’re not the same person now you were six months ago.

    Kudos and congrats for all your hard work kicking some major social media bootay, man! I do hope we’ll stay in touch.

    Best,
    Todd

    Reply to this comment

    • Hardy Wallace

      12. Feb, 2010

      Thank you Todd!

      We will stay in touch for sure! We need you back up in wine country!!!!!

      This past year has changed my life in so many ways…

      Reply to this comment

  9. Josh

    12. Feb, 2010

    Just to echo what everyone else has said, so great hanging with you in wine country, your energy charm, and hospitality. One of the truly good folks.

    But, please say you’ll be staying?

    Reply to this comment

  10. jimmy

    12. Feb, 2010

    Way to go Hardy! You’ve worked your ass off, handled yourself with class, and you have this inspirational, affable manner towards everyone you meet. I hope the industry understands what you are doing (aka not feeding a sales pitch, but connecting with people).

    I’m sorry you won’t be coming back to Atlanta, but you are needed in California, and I’ll need a couch to crash on when I’m out there. ;-)

    Cheers,

    Jimmy

    Reply to this comment

  11. gwendolyn alley aka art predator

    12. Feb, 2010

    I’m excited to hear about your NEXT adventure in wine!

    I know you’ll keep having fun!!

    Reply to this comment

  12. uberVU - social comments

    12. Feb, 2010

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by goodetobefirst: Toughest post I’ve ever written “A Really Goode Job” Comes to an End http://bit.ly/aszQl8 #wine #everything…

    Reply to this comment

  13. Shana Ray

    12. Feb, 2010

    I wish I had something else to say other than to echo what everyone else has said in the comments above… But I cannot. It has be an inspiring journey.

    You were the PERFECT person for that job and a great asset to our little Sonoma County/Healdsburg community and I am happy to call you a friend. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next (oh, and to see you strut your stuff at Mr. Healdsburg).

    Reply to this comment

    • Hardy Wallace

      12. Feb, 2010

      Thanks Shana!

      It has been a great experience and I am glad to have found great friends along the way! Look forward to seeing you!

      Reply to this comment

  14. Lesley Keffer Russell

    12. Feb, 2010

    Congratulations, Hardy!
    What’s next??

    Reply to this comment

  15. Deb Kravitz

    12. Feb, 2010

    Hardy -

    What a great ride. I am so happy that you will be staying in the area, and I will be on the lookout for your next fabulous adventure. . . .

    Cheers!
    -Deb

    Reply to this comment

  16. Rick Breslin (from Hello Vino)

    12. Feb, 2010

    Hardy, Congratulations on finishing your gig with Murphy Goode. Adding to the previous comments, you’re a true gentleman, and I wish you the best of luck with the next stage of your career. I look forward to seeing what you do next.

    Best,
    Rick

    Reply to this comment

  17. Amer

    12. Feb, 2010

    Just a thought…I think you open a spider-monkey farm :)

    Reply to this comment

    • Hardy Wallace

      12. Feb, 2010

      Amer- A spider-monkey farm for sure! Hope all is well in Canada!

      Thank you for the comment, and say hello to the team for me!

      Reply to this comment

  18. Joel Reese

    12. Feb, 2010

    The People! Thanks for the reminder Hardy.

    Minnie Pearl once told me, “Love your audience and they will love you back!” When we treat “the people” like family… in the tasting rooms, on the tours, on the phone and on-line, the real rewards come back ten-fold.

    The door is open, the fireplace is lit and the soup is on.
    Come see me and we’ll write a great wine song together!

    Reply to this comment

  19. Most Tweeted Articles by wine Experts

    13. Feb, 2010

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    Reply to this comment

  20. Cheryl Small

    13. Feb, 2010

    Hardy…Job well done!

    Reply to this comment

  21. Eileen Unger

    13. Feb, 2010

    Who would have thought – from that very long LinkedIn conversation which seems like it happened just yesterday to having so much fun watching you do what we know you do best – we miss you here, but thanks to the outlets that gave you that opportunity, you gave us the opportunity to live a little bit of the Goode life through you. We wine drinkers and DirtySouth fans here in Atlanta could not have asked for a better representative – and our loss is definitely wine country’s gain. It’s never goodbye. It’s always see you soon – and once again, all the world’s your stage and you certainly know how to be a player on it. As we were from day one, we continue to be amazingly proud of you and thrilled that you have gotten to live your dreams!

    Reply to this comment

    • Hardy Wallace

      13. Feb, 2010

      Eileen,

      Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I wouldn’t be here without your support and encouragement. I am grateful for it!

      Reply to this comment

  22. Mark Osmun

    13. Feb, 2010

    Hardy, your story is reflected thus:

    “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

    Quoted from the book “The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, 1951″, by William H. Murray ( 1913-1996 )

    It’s been a gas.

    Reply to this comment

  23. Meg Gwaltney

    14. Feb, 2010

    Hardy, Congratulations on the chance of a lifetime! It’s been such a thrill to live vicariously through your times out in Healdsburg! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for you next!

    Cheers,
    Meg :)

    Reply to this comment

  24. Dan G

    14. Feb, 2010

    Very interesting following you on your journey Hardy. You had a wonderful opportunity and did not dissapoint. I hope we can hook up for a glass when I visit the wine country in June. Cheers Dan

    Reply to this comment

  25. jeremy Parzen

    14. Feb, 2010

    Mazel, loads and loads of mazel, my fine friend.

    Reply to this comment

  26. Alina Brown

    14. Feb, 2010

    Hardy,

    From the beginning, all I could say was, “Wow!” You’ve kicked butt from then to now…

    Thanks for keeping us updated on your journeys and sharing your love and enthusiasm for wine. Keep rocking on…

    Cheers, Alina

    Reply to this comment

  27. @winewatcher (Alexandra Alznauer)

    14. Feb, 2010

    Hardy,

    Your story inspired me to quit dreaming about blogging (and tweeting) and just start doing it. Thanks for being a great role model.

    Any time you’re in SF I’ve got a special glass of wine and some great conversation waiting…

    Best,
    Alexandra

    Reply to this comment

  28. Yvette "@ollada"

    15. Feb, 2010

    Hardy-

    Thank you for your help in getting me to my dream. I wish you all the best in your next endeavors! I think you are sticking around Sonoma County, so I can’t wait to meet you in person.

    :)
    Yvette @ollada

    Reply to this comment

  29. Shannon

    16. Feb, 2010

    Hardy –

    What can I say? It’s been awesome having you on the Murphy-Goode team….thank you so much for all your hard work and effort. You have become, and always will be, a close part of the Murphy-Gooode family. Congratulations on your new adventure and I’ll be watching you!

    All the best,
    Shannon

    Reply to this comment

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