On the weekend of September 14th, we celebrated with 140 enthusiastic fellow WOMers the 2007 harvest here on Rhinefarm. The annual WOMer harvest party focused on the sustainability of Rhinefarm, a tasting of selected wines from both our library and new releases, delicious meals prepared from local ingredients, and much camaraderie. The stars of the weekend were of course your fellow WOMers. Their “up for anything” attitude, laughter, dancing skills, and authentic enjoyment of Rhinefarm would have made anyone proud to be associated with them.
Many people from Gundlach Bundschu were called upon to entertain and educate your fellow WOMers. Chris Holman, who is our operations manager, presented our water recycling program used on Rhinefarm. Heather Paige, the viticulturist, exhibits a true passion for the beneficial insects that aid in fighting harmful insect in the vineyards, all but eliminating our use of sprays on Rhinefarm. Heather displayed jars of samples of her favorite bugs as if they were here children, and WOMers got to release them into the wild.
Probably the biggest rock star of the day was Gracie Bundschu, eight-year old daughter of Jeff and Liz Bundschu and the 7th generation of the family on Rhinefarm. Gracie gave a talk on beneficial birds (owls, hawks and bluebirds) and how they impact the vineyard, specifically on the species of bluebirds attracted to Rhinefarm by the dozens of boxes built by Gracie and her Girl Scout troop. John Audubon himself at the age of eight could not have been more engaging and precise with avian knowledge. Alex Godbe, from the Hungry Owl Project, had a tough act to follow, even with Wookie the Barn Owl at her side.
Wine-related stories exchanged between WOMers throughout the weekend gathering would keep even Bacchus entertained. One such tale, tongue in cheek, was overheard during lunch between four couples who had meet in Memphis during our last revel. One couple was from Chicago, two from Texas and one from Georgia, and the group decided to rent a house together in Sonoma while attending the harvest party. They were discussing how to taste wine so that one could learn more about the nuances a glass exhibited. “The bouquet, the smell of wine, is a key to concentrate on” one insisted. “That’s right,” another replied, “When I inhale a bouquet of Gundlach Bundschu Gewürztraminer, it sometimes turns me on.” From across the table came “yeah, kind of like me and paper factories.”
Now this one had my attention.
He went on to explain that when he was courting his wife, they lived hundreds of miles apart, and each weekend he’d drive to see her. As he approached her town, there were several paper mills in the area. Now if you’ve ever been near a paper mill, you know it is not a pleasant smell. Nothing like Gundlach Bundschu Gewürztraminer. But over time, he came to associate that smell with the start of a romantic weekend. They’ve apparently been married a long time, because, he says, “Today she won’t drive anywhere near a paper mill because that smell turns me on.”
The company and humor of these friends made and reunited at Gundlach Bundschu WOMer events exemplifies the spirit of the WOMer pledge we all recited together on the last evening of the Harvest Weekend. You too will be expected to recite it at your next WOMer gathering!
"WINE OF THE MOMENT" MEMBER PLEDGE
As a member in good standing of the
Gundlach Bundschu WOMERS
I grapefully pledge
To blend the spirit of Bacchus and the Golden Rule
To slow the pace of life’s daily race
To enjoy the fruits of Rhinefarm and its sense of place.
At table, or under a tree
With friends and family
A poem, a toast, conversations extended
Praising our fortune that wine is our friend.
(Pause-make direct eye contact with
the person closest to you and repeat)
May our good fortune continue to flow
Our camaraderie forever grow
I see by the gleam in your eye
That you will never let my glass go dry.
HURRAH
Salud amigos.
Jim
