am persuading von that oenology is merely a passing phase if all this interviewing with california winemakers comes to nothing what he should turn to is tea - either in tea production or as a taster or importer. his experience in plant botany would come in useful in tea cultivation, he'll get to travel a bit to different tea farms, and most important, he'll be drinking only good teas for the rest of his life. he'll enjoy creating new teas, and if he wants to be based in here he could organise workshops teaching people the tea ceremony, or organise tea-tasting clubs, or tea by subscription - new spring and autumn teas every year - that sort of thing, and also importing proper tea accessories: clay cups and pots, trays and decanters. i've just read that over 70% of tea consumed in north america is machine manufactured and harvested in south america! there is great potential.