Digging Deeper: Lessons from the Vineyards of Southern Italy

Last month, I happened to transit through Italy. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to visit the scenic landscapes of Southern Italy, and an unexpected detour took me to the famous local wineries. Winemaking fascinates me because it's not just about grapes and bottles; it has played a crucial role in history, even influencing events like Alexander the Great's military campaigns.

Southern Italy had seen unusually heavy rains this year. I could see the effects of the rain as I stood in the middle of lush vineyards. The vines appeared strong, and the grapes were in great numbers, so I presumed a large harvest and a fine batch of wine in the making. However, to my surprise, the vineyard workers did not share my enthusiasm. They were, in fact, discouraged by the heavy rains as it negatively impacted the quality of the grapes and, ultimately, the taste of the wine. I was intrigued. So, I pressed on.

That day, I learned that heavy rain leads to vines laying roots closer to the surface, fed by the easily available surface water. This principle is a fundamental aspect of 'terroir' — the natural environment's impact on the wine's character.

When rainfall is scarce, as is common in Southern Italy, the grape vines are forced to dig deep and search for sustained moisture from the layers of soil under them. These deeper layers, rich with diverse mineral compositions, produce grapes that give their wines distinct and rich flavors. For instance, limestone soils often result in more aromatic and refined wines, clay soils produce bolder and richer wines, and so on. When there is too much water readily available to a grapevine, it can become lazy, only spreading out its roots near the surface where it is easy to soak up water.

In an instant, my mind connected all of this to the 25 years of nurturing and tending to the company I built: Quest Global. From year one, we've partnered with our clients, tackling their hardest engineering challenges. Like the deep-rooted vines, we've had to dig deep into the layers of complexity, intentionally staying away from the appeal of low-hanging fruits, like staffing business and seeking easy-to-fulfill purchase orders that other service providers soaked up. This strategy, although more taxing, led us to create deeply rooted client relationships and cultivate a culture of tenacity and innovation at Quest Global.

There are moments in life when we are tempted to choose instant gratification over sustainable personal growth. These brief moments of joy, however, lack the richness and depth that come from real, meaningful connections, much like the watery grapes. In order to build sustainable and meaningful success, we must embrace the harder challenges, persist through the difficult problems, and nurture deep, meaningful relationships.

In both winemaking and engineering, the concept of digging deeper has profound implications. Both require patience, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the chosen purpose.

The lessons from the vineyards reinforce my faith that anything worthwhile — be it a bottle of superior wine or a successful, resilient company — requires time, perseverance, and the willingness to dig deep. It is our responsibility as leaders to teach the next generations these values. The hero's journey and the timeless truths of stories demonstrate to us that those who are able to endure struggles in the face of adversity can be successful in life.

As I continue to learn from such diverse fields and incorporate these lessons into our work at Quest Global, I am reminded of the rich tapestry that we are a part of. We are not just engineers; we are artists, caregivers, and problem-solvers who strive to deliver the best, one layer at a time. Like the vines of Southern Italy, we continue to dig deep, grow, and add value to the world around us.

The next time you savor a glass of wine or celebrate a successful project with a customer, remember — it's the depth that makes the difference.