More and More Winemakers and Hospitality Pros Are Turning To Running for Stress Relief — Here’s Why
The emotional and mental benefits coupled with a sense of community make it the ideal form of fitness for high-stress shifts.
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The hospitality industry has some of the most fast-paced jobs of any workplace. No matter what type of establishment you work in, serving other people is mentally and physically demanding from the start of your shift to the end of it. From restaurants to bars to wineries and vineyards, long hours coupled with strenuous shifts can be hard to shake off at the end of the day. It’s an industry that’s notorious for hotheads and quick-tempered chefs with fiery personalities who are often overwhelmed or overtaxed. But that’s not always necessarily the case, and it’s growing more common for industry workers to find healthier ways to combat the stress and anxiety of working in restaurants or wineries. In the past, industry professionals might’ve reveled in the post-shift drink to unwind. But as the industry grows more conscious of both mental and physical wellness, chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers are turning to a completely different way to wind down and connect: running.
While it might sound crazy to go running after standing on your feet for 12 hours straight, run clubs are popping up at wineries, breweries, and restaurants throughout the country. And there’s a specific race that brings together folks from the wine industry each year: the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon. The event occurs every year in July (the next one will take place on July 17 and 18, 2027) and features on-course tastings that meander through rolling hills and manicured estates, while a post-race wine festival greets finishers after they complete the 13.1-mile course. It’s a scenic and celebratory race that brings together winemakers and wine tasters for a chance to experience wine country from a new perspective. "The chance to combine my love of running and wine was something I never anticipated and experiencing it alongside a community that shared the same enthusiasm makes for a truly memorable event," said Kristina Shideler, Head Winemaker at Stonestreet Vineyards in the Alexander Valley.
The race weekend is packed with activities, and runners can choose to participate in the rose-themed 5K, the standard half marathon, or both. The weekend usually concludes with a post-race wine festival featuring wines from over 30 local vineyards.
But what is it about running, compared to other types of exercise, that resonates so much with folks who work in the hospitality industry? Running is a test of mental strength, and the predictable nature of putting one foot in front of the other can be a great way to combat the erratic nature of restaurant work, according to Dr. Andrew Friesen, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Penn State Berks, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and a Fellow with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. "It’s been my observation that endurance activities, such as running, offer psychological benefits that are particularly well-suited to people in the hospitality industry," says Friesen. "Physical activity uses up energy, reducing our capacity to experience some of the more intense, unpleasant emotions, such as anger and anxiety. So, after a rough shift where mistakes have been made and can no longer be undone, running acts as a buffer against being overly self-critical," he adds.
The monotony of running is also a great way to clear your mind, which can make space for creativity. "Winemaking is a deeply creative endeavor, and some of the most important decisions begin before I even step into the cellar," said Shideler. "Running — particularly in the quiet hours of the morning — creates the mental space for that process. It allows me to think clearly, work through various outcomes, and approach the day with greater focus and intention," she adds.
Experts agree that exercise has tons of benefits, like increased emotional stability, self-control, and self-esteem, as well as reduced anger, anxiety, depression, and tension. "Physical activity facilitates the release of chemicals in our brains that help us feel better, like endorphins and dopamine. These chemicals have been shown to reduce stress, improve our cognitive function, and overall mood," shares Dr. Liz Budd, PhD, MPH, Evergreen Associate Professor at the University of Oregon. When people work in a high-stress profession, the body is often operating in fight or flight mode because of increased hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. And while that may be beneficial for restaurant work in short bursts, Budd says that chronic exposure to high stress is never good for the health of our brains and bodies. "When we remain in fight or flight mode for long periods of time, our emotion regulation, decision making skills and mood worsen," she adds. Which is why forms of fitness, like running, that allow you to decompress and think clearly are so beneficial to folks who work in high-stress environments.
"I think I lean on running when I am stressed because it can act as a pressure valve for my life. It can provide structure and balance when I need it most. Running allows me to slow down mentally and work through problems, uninterrupted," said Lynne Fahy, General Manager and Head Winemaker at Hillick & Hobbs.
While running might be a physical pursuit, the mental and emotional benefits are endless, and participating in organized races like the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon also paves the way for building friendships, community, and collaboration. "Running has brought me a sense of community and helped me form my longest friendships," says Fahy. "Some of my best friends have come from the running community," adds Agustina Hobbs, Business Brand Manager at ALH. "These friends have been such an instrumental part of building the ALH brand. It was so fun to build ideas and creative concepts with them," she notes. "We would taste through so many different wines, and we’ve even taken trips together that were just about running and drinking wine," Hobbs adds.
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