I spent 17 years in the wine industry before reinventing myself as a mortgage broker in 2005. The wine industry was exciting, but the constant travel schedule eventually became exhausting.  I’ve flown a million miles on American Airlines alone, and plenty more on many other airlines. The small benefit is that I’ve earned lifetime gold status on American. The downside is that I wasted countless hours of my life in taxis to the airport, security lines and more lines at the gate, not to mention all of the flying time and hotel time away from home. My desire to end the business travel and become a part of the local community brought me to the mortgage industry – a life change I’m very happy I made.

I’ve poured wine at hundreds of wine events, and I’ve hosted dozens of fine wine dinners – built around an ideal pairing of wine and food, designed to help show off both. It struck me that comparisons can be drawn between wine and mortgages. And so I created a chart that puts my ideas on paper and actually conveys a lot of great information. I hope you enjoy it – but don’t take it too seriously, it’s just for fun!

Click here to download a PDF of my wine and mortgage pairing chart

Extremely Short Term Mortgages ~ Delicate Wines Meant For Immediate Consumption
6-month ARM
  • Portugese Vinho Verdi
  • French Beaujolais Nouveau
  • California “New” Gewurztraminer
Short Term Mortgages ~ Wines That Will Age For A Year Or Two
1-year ARM
2-year ARM
  • Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
  • Stainless Steel Aged Chardonnay
  • “Australian” varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, etc.
  • “California” varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, etc.
Medium Term Mortgages ~ Wines That Will Age For A Few Years
3-Year ARM
  • Cool Climate Sauvignon Blanc: New Zealand, Napa, Sonoma
  • White Bordeaux (France)
  • Vineyard Designated Pinot Noir
  • Oak Aged Chardonnay – Napa, Sonoma, Macon
  • Rioja Crianza (Spain)
  • Cotes du Rhone-Villages, Cru Beaujolais
  • Merlot from good vineyards – Napa, Sonoma, St Emilion
Intermediate Term Mortgages ~ Wines Intended For Some Aging
5-year ARM
7-year ARM
  • Champagne (French)
  • White Burgundy (Chablis, Puligny-Montrachet, etc)
  • Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma, Paso Robles
  • Shiraz from McClaren Vale, Coonawarra (Australia)
  • Zinfandel from Sonoma, Napa
  • Cornas, Gigondas, Chateauneuf du Pape (Rhone)
  • 2nd Label & 5th Growth Red Bordeaux
  • Riserva Chianti Classico (Italy), Rioja Riserva(Spain)
Long Term Mortgages ~ Wines From The Very Best Vineyards, Capable of LENGTHY Aging
10-year ARM
10-year Fixed Rate
15-year Fixed Rate
20-year Fixed Rate
25-year Fixed Rate
30-year Fixed Rate
  • Vintage Champagne
  • Brunello di Montalcino, Barbaresco, Barolo (Italy)
  • Hermitage, Cote Rotie (Rhone)
  • Grand Cru and Premier Cru Burgundy (France)
  • Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Classified Growth Red Bordeaux (France)
  • Vintage Port

This list is for fun and is not intended to be complete. I think the right wine is the one you enjoy, and the right mortgage for your family is the one that helps you sleep well. Call me and we’ll discuss good choices for you!