September 1, 2026

Let's talk about mentorship

Specifically: how bad we all are at actually asking for it. 

The last two years, while opening DECANT Napa, I went quiet. I pulled back from a lot of the outreach and mentoring I used to do for folks coming up in this industry. I had to, because my own mental health and this business needed all of me.

But when we closed DECANT SF this summer, something shifted. I found myself needing to reach out, to talk to friends who've been in my corner for years, and to seek opinions and experience from folks I'd call mentors (even though half of them would probably blush at the word). Talking to them felt embarrassingly good, honestly, like I'd forgotten I was allowed to talk about my career with others.

This wine industry, this valley, is going through it right now (I don't need to tell you that). We need a network of people to talk to more than ever. So even though I spend a lot of my time handing out guidance, I had to remember: I need it too.

That's why DECANT is partnering with Bâtonnage Forum for weekly pop-in mentoring, starting this month with author, speaker, and global wine educator Elaine Chukan Brown. I hope you'll join us, because it's never too late or too early in your career to find someone to confide in or ask questions of.

—Cara Patricia, DECANT co-founder

COMING UP at your favorite winemaker's favorite wine shop:

🧿 Sat 8/12 Bottle Cult Pick-Up Party — (2:30–7:00 PM)

All are welcome, with complimentary flights for Cult members, plus samples of cheese and our tin of the month! Not a member? Join the Cult →

🔮 Wed 9/16 — Tarot Readings with Brianna Darcy — (6:00–8:30 PM)

Our favorite Bitter Bar cocktail witch is also a tarot priestess. Come by and sign up for a reading. 1, 3, or 5 card spreads, $5 per card, $3 clarifiers.
First come, first served, with a max of 10 readings per evening.
Want to book more time with her earlier? Contact Bri directly.

🍗🧇 Sat 9/19 — Southern-style Chicken & Waffles Pop-Up — (3:30–7:00 PM)

Love fried chicken? Love waffles?? Love Champagne??? Soulful Taste, the Napa Valley pop-up fixture run by Gina & Verdis Baldridge, is bringing their fried chicken and waffles to our patio, paired with sparkling wine and Champagne specials!
RSVP here →

🎤 Sat 9/19 — Soul Saturdays: Open Mic with Brandon Tagle — (6:30–8:30 PM)

Our monthly open mic has become exactly the thing we hoped for: poetry, music, comedy, stories, and zero pretension. Come perform, or just post up with a glass of something good and soak it in. Sign up to perform →

And every week, like clockwork:

• Mentorship Drop In — Sundays, 2:00-4:00 PM, by donation.
  Pop-in for mentorship and connection, no agenda required
• Blind Flights — Mondays, 4:30–7:30 PM, $32.
  Guess 'em right to win the flight.
• Mana Monday — Mondays, 5:00–8:30 PM.
  Magic: The Gathering & board games in the lounge.
• Tarot with Brianna Darcy — Third Wednesdays, $5/card.
  Our favorite cocktail witch reads your cards.

See the full calendar →

Cult Members always get 15% off to all ticketed events!
Not a member yet? We can fix that.  Join the Cult →