(WSJ) - WHAT INSPIRES an accomplished professional to abandon a successful career in finance or law for an uncertain future in the business of wine? Whether starting over as a wine critic, wine merchant or sales agent, the allure is clearly quite powerful. Here are a few case studies of those who chose to make the leap into the world of wine in hopes of greater professional fulfillment—perhaps even happiness—and one doctor-vintner who juggles two demanding careers.

When Allen Meadows left the financial world in 1999 after 20 successful years, he wasn’t looking to retire but, rather, to launch a new career: Burgundy-wine critic. He started the Burgundy-focused newsletter “Burghound,” following in the footsteps of another career changer, Robert M. Parker, Jr., the lawyer turned wine critic who founded “The Wine Advocate” in 1978. As Mr. Meadows put it: “I took my approach to Burghound right out of Bob’s playbook.”