From Solo Wine Harvests to a Shared Life in Germany

Leaving a full-time position in California, the narrator traveled to Austria’s Burgenland wine region to join a natural wine domaine, intending to hop between harvests worldwide. There she encountered Lars, a gentle winemaker whose accent and companionship sparked an unexpected romance despite her pre-planned move to Australia on a Work and Holiday Visa. After a series of long-distance calls, letters, and gifts, Lars invited her to spend a summer in Germany to assess their compatibility, proposing a three-month trial after which she could return to Australia if needed.

During that period she secured part-time work with a local female winemaker, learned to balance shared life with personal freedom, and confronted cultural and logistical challenges. Choosing to remain, she now lives with Lars at a German winery, pursuing a career that blends travel, wine production, and community building, while planning their first joint wine project.