Saturday we hosted a party for 25 people to celebrate finishing bird netting our vineyards, and finishing new hardwood flooring in our house. We wrapped up the flooring at 5 PM Friday and moved all the furniture back in place, including the bar.
This is the only time all year where there is really no labor to do in the vineyards. Once the netting goes on, we just wait and take measurements of sugar and taste the grapes until they are ready to harvest. That’s one reason August in vacation month in Europe. If you have vines, it’s the time of year you can be away from them.
The party got off to a little bit of a bumpy start when I cut my finger making anchovie bread. But friends Kenneth, Wes and Sissie stepped in and took over running the bar and opening the wine. I had smoked a pork butt and beef brisket for 24 hours over old wine barrel staves as the main course.
There was not really a wine theme for the party, just bring something good. Some of the highlights for me were 2003 Copain Syrah Garys’ Vineyard, 2003 Kathryn Kennedy Syrah Santa Cruz Mountains and 1987 Ridge Cabernet Santa Cruz Mountains. We opened 27 bottles total. People ended up hanging out in the cellar all night again.
I did get to sit and talk with some of our 20 something friends for a long time. First with Eric and Johanna and then Jessica and James.
One of the reasons Stefania and I like to have these big events is to be able to introduce people to different wines in a casual fun environment. Somewhere where it’s really easy to learn and ask questions while you enjoy yourself. Too many wine events are way too serious and intimidate people. We hope after people come to our parties they have confidence to say what they like and don’t like in wine.
Anyways; Eric, Johanna, James and Jessica all said how much they really liked being able to taste so many wines and learn so much at our parties. They also said how easy it’s made it for them to start drinking wine more on their own. Eric and Johanna have even started wine touring in Carmel and Napa.
That made my night. We’re making wine because we love to share wine with people and we think too many people treat wine and the ‘wine lifestyle’ too formally. We want our wines to be fun for people, and we want them to have fun when they drink them. It made me feel like we’re doing it right!
Cheers,
Paul