Wine, Faith and Purpose with Mike Archer of Dawning Day
A grounded conversation with Mike Archer, Founder of Dawning Day Winery and leader of Altitude701, on building a purpose-led wine brand, serving community, and living faith at work. Hosted by Mark Bilton for Monday Movement.
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Summary
What happens when a lifelong love of wine becomes a calling. In this episode Mike shares how a single mentoring question moved him from comfort to action, how fires and smoke taint nearly ended a vintage, and why sales and distribution matter as much as craft. We explore the pruning principle, business as ministry, Sabbath rhythms, and practical ways Christians in the marketplace bring integrity and hospitality to everyday work in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
What you will learn
Pruning Principle: Grow by Cutting Back. How strategic pruning lifts future fruit and why leaders grow by removing what no longer serves.
Why You Should Always Incorporate God and Prayer in Your Business. How prayer reframes crisis and builds courage in real pressure.
Turn Great Product into Real Sales. Why distribution, labels, and customer contact turn craft into commercial momentum.
Church Works Best When the Whole Body Is in Unity. How a healthy church functions through shared responsibility and everyday service.
Business Itself Is Ministry. How choices with suppliers and customers become acts of integrity and care.
See Work as Vocation Serve with Excellence. How a calling mindset reduces corner cutting and raises standards.
Make Space to Rest and Trust God to Provide. How planned rest creates clarity and how provision follows honouring healthy rhythms.
How to Test a Calling and Start Anyway. How to discern a genuine prompt, avoid fad thinking, and move with courage.
Pray Seek Counsel Then Take the Step. How prayer, wise voices, and small actions open practical pathways.
One Question That Moves You Forward. How a precise mentoring question exposes drift and catalyses action.
About our guest
Mike Archer is the founder and winemaker at Dawning Day Winery in the Southern Highlands and leads Altitude701, an independent commercial distributor serving restaurants, bars, and bottle shops. His approach blends craft, sales discipline, and community generosity shaped by Isaiah 58.
Dawning Day Website: DawningDay.com.au
Altitude Website: Altitude701.com.au
About Monday Movement
Monday Movement shares deep conversations with Christians called to the marketplace. The goal is simple. Help you bring faith to work with clarity, courage, and practical wisdom. New episodes weekly.
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