Once upon a time, long ago, when the days were longer and the task lists shorter, I was not afraid to tackle big novels. If the book looked like it would fit my mindset at the time and the reading docket was clear, nothing would scare me. Eight hundred, 900, 1000 pages, I'd say bring it. One such opus was the library of congress reissuing of John Dos Passos' 'The USA Trilogy. It was originally published in three novels in the 1930s, and relates the lives of multiple characters as they struggle to find a place in American society during the tumultuous early decades of the twentieth century. In it, NYC takes on a role of global proportions in industry, art and intellectual pursuits. The book set the stage for what is sure to be my life long love and admiration for the city. Some years later I was in the city for a Wine Brat event, at Windows on the World, god bless them all, and sat there looking out at the city and had an epiphany of sorts, whereby I fully embraced the notion that to make it in that city was by default to make it anywhere else. Since then, I have set my sights on ensuring that whatever we as a family winery do in that city, we kick ass doing it. I am happy to report that Towle's Hill, by my standards (which are much higher than I let on), did just that.
The Zipper Factory theater was as groovy as could be. Absolute New York groovyness. You enter through back door of a marble elevator lobby that in no way prepares you for the dark, dank, funked out lounge and theater space within. We go there and everything was dark and red, left over from the burlesque show the night before. The theater itself was surrounded by steep rows of seats, most of which seemed to have come from large American automobiles. It was perfect empty, and all that was left was to fill it with people.
I am no anthropologist, psychologist, demographer or cultural analyst, but I am a world class stereotypologist. My take on New Yorkers, based on my five or so visits to the city and my knowledge of Susan Sueiro and her family, is that they can be extremely skeptical. Kind of an urban "I have seen, heard, and eaten things that you could never possibly imagine, and much of it was complete junk. Hence I don't expect much kind of attitude. That said, they have tons of energy, and often expend it checking completely new things out, even those they are completely skeptical about. If I was from NYC and in a band and geekily self aware (if?), I might just name it The Skeptic Adventurers, or maybe the french translation of same if that sounded sexier. Our audience was checker block full of such people, all up for an adventure, and most at least a little skeptical and not afraid to admit it. Note I said full; We had over 170 people there, and it was packed. There were great restaurateurs and retailers alike, Martin Scott (distributor)staffers, and many friends and family. The energy was off the hook and it led Mark into an energized and touching performance, that culminated in a mutual father's day salute to our fathers who were both in attendance. Lots of tears in the audience. Even New Yorkers cry!
Until recently, we put very little effort into selling wine into NYC. Too big, too tiresome, and we were successful enough elsewhere. I have had my sights set on changing that for the past three years, and every year we make further inroads. It will take some time but we are getting there. This play was a big step in the right direction.
Jim Bundschu with college friend John Berg, wife Susan and Jeff college friend Dave Burton.
Wine brat friend Stacy and pal from New Jersey
Zipper crowd ready to roll
