On Friday afternoon, November 2nd, an eclectic group of about 150 people gathered in the courtyard in front of the winery to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. It was really an excuse to merge us gringos in the Mexican culture and experience and embrace the sentiments of a celebration of the day of the dead.
The Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration of the lives of loved ones and ancestors who have passed, where family and friends gather to share memories and favorite foods in honor of the dead.
The festivities were well under way by four; two classical guitarists who were seated the shade beneath the olive trees were fingering classical duets, people mingled and wine was flowing, all except for a couple who were off by themselves, sitting on Adirondack chairs with their legs resting on the stone wall, gazing out over the lake, their backs turned away from the crowd.
Megan, the grand pooh-bah of all social events here on Rhinefarm approached me and said I just had to go up and talk to that very same couple immediately, because they had an unbelievable tale which they had related to her shortly after their arrival, and I had to hear it for myself.
Colorful altars laden with marigolds and displaying photos and favorite artifacts of deceased friends, loved ones and family members were being attended to by many of the crowd. The Bundschu family altar had photos of our four deceased generations interspersed with mementos, a favorite fishing pole and reel, a cherished porcelain vase, a Bacchus Club book of poems, and collapsible black top hat. And a glass of wine for each in place of the traditional tequila.
Other families came and decorated a community altar. The invitation to the first annual Gundlach Bundschu Dia de Los Muertos had been extended to all who worked on Rhinefarm and to the community of Sonoma Valley. Those attendees of Mexican decent or those who were familiar with the traditions of the day knew what to expect, and brought pictures, mementos and favorite foods to decorate the altars. Winery docents were on hand for those who were unfamiliar with the traditions, and all were invited to decorate calaveras, or sugar skulls, made by the first graders from The Flowery School in Sonoma Valley. It did not take long for the sentiment of the event to permeate throughout the afternoon.
The couple seated by the lake had abandoned their chairs and headed for the tasting room. As they left the room holding a bottle of 2003 Vintage Reserve, I approached them and introduced myself and asked about their story. They were from Thousand Oaks, California and in San Francisco for a business conference. For years they had enjoyed wines together, but had never visited the Sonoma or Napa Valley. So across the Golden Gate they drove with no specific destination.
As they began to discuss which valley to visit, they though of their fellow wine lover and friend, Greg Furback, and knew where they had to go. Flooded with emotion, they headed toward Gundlach Bundschu Winery.
Years earlier, Greg had contracted cancer. He went through the litany of failing health. As he did so, he decided he should distribute the cherished wines from his cellar collection to his friends, rather than allow them to be lost in probate. He gave to the Burns, the couple I was conversing with, his bottles of 1987 Gundlach Bundschu Vintage Reserve with instructions that this was one of his favorite wines from his favorite winery, and that they should enjoy it together or with friends after his passing. At first, the Burnses refused his gift, but he insisted. Finally they accepted but with the caveat they would not consume a drop until Greg’s health improved enough so they could enjoy the wine together.
On May 6, 2006, Greg died. The following New Year’s Eve, the Burnses opened enjoyed the ’87 Vintage Reserve, and resolved to one day visit Gundlach Bundschu.
They arrived at Gundlach Bundschu on the afternoon of November 2, 2007, unfamiliar with the holiday and completely unaware of the winery celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. As they descended the steps into our courtyard and took in the celebrations at hand, they were understandably blown away. They drank some wine and toasted their beloved friend Greg, while looking over the lake, away from the crowd.
Salud Amigos.
Jim
