An inter-winery memo recently arrived on everyone’s desk one morning two weeks ago from Carly Fedor, who is Kathy Fedor’s 27-year-old daughter. (Some of you might not know that Kathy has been working here at Gundlach Bundschu since 1982 and is the manager of WOMer operations.) The memo simply stated, “I’m getting married again…to the same guy, different continent! I’ll be taking the next week off.”
Here is a story for you, fleshing out Carly’s memo, which reflects Gundlach Bundschu’s pride in multi-generational family employees; not just Bundschus, but also the families who help contribute to the joys of Bacchus and work here on Rhinefarm.
First, however, and totally disassociated with Carly’s story, you must know that your scribe is a most fortunate soul. Often you long-time members have read this missive about what it is like to be on “frost patrol,” i.e. protecting the vines’ annual tender new shoots from Spring frost, which can kill the shoots and young grape bunches. By now you have probably heard that the Spring of 2008 was the worst year for frost in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties since 1972. That year happened to be the first year we installed frost protection devices on Rhinefarm. There were 22 straight nights of frost and we were there, up all night, protecting the vines. This winter while the vines were still dormant, we established a new “frost patrol” team, with yours truly serving as merely the advisor. This brand new patrol had to get out of bed a record 26 out of 32 nights in March and April. I’m still humbled by this great good fortune, as I lay in bed snuggly tucked away listening to the wind machines purr for 26 nights. We suffered a 5% loss of crop, far better than some of our neighbors. We would have lost 70% without protection.
Now back to Carly. European wineries have earned global respect for maintaining generations of family ownership. For example, the Trimbach family began their winery twelve generations ago. Likewise, there are generations of the same families working at these wineries. That is not the case in the U.S., as our industry is relatively new and we were forced to endure Prohibition. So it is unusual to have second-generation family members work at the same winery. Fortunately, for wine quality sake it is beginning to occur more often. Here at Gundlach Bundschu, Carly Fedor is a member of this rare group. She was born in 1981, one year before Kathy, her mother, came to work here in the tasting room. Carly grew up with our daughter, Katie, and the two of them were constant companions at all our winery parties. Once, at one of the late night revels, the two wandered down to the tanks and proceeded to open a valve, draining out 750 gallons of 1980 Merlot. They sheepishly reappeared, whimpering and totally drenched in the juice. While in high school Carly worked in the Gundlach Bundschu warehouse, helping with the inventory and janitorial duties, she would even drive the fork lift in a pinch. She attended and graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz, yes the “Slugs.” She always had the urge to travel abroad, going to Thailand, while still in high school. After she graduated college she traveled around Europe and while in Scotland, had a drink with Sean Howell, a Kiwi visiting the Single Malt country.
She returned to Sonoma and begun working again at Gundlach Bundschu, this time in the tasting room, where she could now legally pour wine instead of spill it. Lo and behold, Mr. Sean Howell arrived a few months later on her doorstep. They decided that Carly should visit him in New Zealand. Carly continued to work at the winery until she saved enough for the air fare to New Zealand. Off she went.
Fast forward a few more trips, and they were married in New Zealand in February 2007. She was the only Yankee present. Fast forward again, and that explains the memo – “married again.” Two weeks ago, Sean and Carly were married overlooking the Pacific here in Sonoma County. Sean’s family and friends were here for the celebration and finally met the Fedor clan.
Carly is now the tasting room supervisor and Sean will be a “cellar rat” for us during the 2008 Harvest. While producing great wines for you is our major goal, we also want Gundlach Bundschu to adhere to an honorable lifestyle and a spirited environment. What can be more indicative of our success than to have children work willingly, side by side, with their parents.
One final note, Carly is the cop in our new Sesquicentennial Gewürztraminer poster.
