Letting Go

At the height of her career, after building and leading one of the most innovative wineries in America, Susan Sokol Blosser made an extraordinary decision - to step away from the work she loved and transition control of the winery to her children. LETTING GO is an engaging account of how she made that decision, the surprising challenges she faced, the unanticipated journey that ensued, and the good life that followed.

At the height of her career, after building and leading one of the most innovative wineries in America, Susan Sokol Blosser made an extraordinary decision - to step away from the work she loved and transition control of the winery to her children. LETTING GO is an engaging account of how she made that decision, the surprising challenges she faced, the unanticipated journey that ensued, and the good life that followed. LETTING GO speaks to universal themes: transforming family dynamics as the older generation cedes power to the younger; thriving as a woman in an era of changing gender roles; facing aging and staying vital while no longer climbing the career ladder. Contrary to the “having it all” mind set, Sokol Blosser’s story proves that LETTING GO can be the most fulfilling life choice.

When women were rarely decision makers in business or agriculture, Susan Sokol Blosser, a pioneer in the Oregon wine industry, distinguished herself in both. For over three decades, Susan managed every aspect of the Sokol Blosser Winery operation. As president from 1991-2007, she saw Sokol Blosser grow to become one of the largest and most innovative Oregon wineries, with national and international distribution. Susan was a forerunner in instituting environmentally friendly business practices at Sokol Blosser and practicing the triple bottom line concept of people, planet, profit. With its certified organic vineyard, the first LEED (US Green Building Council’s certification) certified winery building in the US, and business practices based on the Natural Step model of sustainability, the winery made social responsibility and its environmental ethic priorities, while still pursuing its vision of producing remarkable wines. Susan holds a B.A. from Stanford University, a M.A.T. from Reed College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Portland, citing her entrepreneurship within the context of environmental and social responsibility. She’s received Lifetime Achievement Awards from Women for WineSense and the Oregon Wine Board and is a Lifetime Trustee of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Marylhurst University. She and her husband, Russ Rosner, Sokol Blosser’s Winemaker Emeritus, live in a home at the vineyard with three cats, eight chickens and a Tibetan Terrier.