What a weekend. This last weekend was our annual wine club harvest party. Our wine club is a collection of interesting, whacky and ultimately very special people from all over the country. We usually gather two times a year, once in the spring ‘out in the world’ (somewhere in the US outside of Sonoma) and once at the winery for a harvest celebration. This year, in honor of our 150th anniversary, we skipped the spring trip and instead met here for long weekend of fun, culture, and just a bit of wine. What follows is an open letter of appreciation to any members out there that may stumble upon this:
Dear Acid, Brix, or Tannin:
How I will long remember this weekend…. I hope you are home now, safe and protected and back in your regular surroundings. And that you from south Texas came home to, well, something. Our thoughts are with you.
What a few days…
First the Mission for the opening reception. It was comforting and touching to walk into such a familiar place in our backyard and see so many familiar faces from all over. This was the only time during this 150th year that we did anything in any historical place in Sonoma other than the winery. Standing there in the courtyard in the setting sun and reading Eva’s description of Sonoma from a letter dated 150 years to the year before was remarkable. It was surreal knowing that it was possible, even likely, that she herself had been in the very same place.
I haven’t yet heard much in the way of fallout from the Diaspora from Mission to the restaurants around the plaza that night, so I presume it was pretty tame. That said, it was awfully quiet on my bus the next morning. By now, since you have traveled with us, you have come to expect a morning full of some history or cultural experience relevant to the surrounding area. What was neat about the Eureka, was that the boat itself, and the history of the city we spoke of aboard, were inseparable from our own family history. As I said at the time, we learned much about our own history from Monica that morning. It seemed to me, looking at your faces during her talks, that it was interesting stuff on its own, at least to you. I missed the trip to Balmy alley, but heard from you that it was very moving.
I didn’t miss Asia SF. Talk about transformative… First off, the setting was not surprising (given I knew what was coming, though contrary to popular belief I had not been there before), but it was peculiar nonetheless. It was more of a nightclub set up than a restaurant, with bar tables and pinked-out windows. Sure enough, it was as if the clock went from 12pm to 12am instantaneously when the front door shut behind the last of you. And true to form, you went with it. The decibel level increased even before the first dancers hit the stage. And speaking of those dancers, did I tell you those were men? As I said, after that episode we reserve the right to bar cameras from any future events.
Soon thereafter was about the point that I lost sight of my own dictum about pacing. Something about that place made the Gewurztraminer go down so well. I thought I had it under control, especially as we (the Acids) were putting a hurt on the other team in kick ball on Angel Island. I seem to remember losing one of you over the seawall on the island chasing a fly ball, and I am surprised we didn’t lose someone else overboard on the way home.
Saturday day was about tours and tastings. The Pinzgauer’s engine never cooled, nor did Linda’s vocal cords, as 100 plus of you went through her tastings that day. Despite all that, you all came ready to play that evening, and, bless your hearts, ready to sit for a play. Even if that might have been low on your list of things you would have done in your own free time in wine country. Luckily, it delivered, and you looked as if you appreciated it as much as I hoped you might. I know it was amazing for us to have Mark perform right there with real life props to point at. When the geese came in I just about lost it. And then came the dancing. You weren’t shy once the music started, and the floor got worn out. I was glad none of you fell of the stage, though that looked a distinct possibility at one point. And I won’t soon forget the ‘moth-to-light’ affect on you of bringing out that 6 liter of 1997 Vintage Reserve.
Most importantly, when the time comes to close the chapter of the 150th year of GB and all the banners and heirlooms are put away, I will be able to rest soundly knowing that we did something special, and shared it with some very special people.
Below is just the first round of pics. There will be more to follow as they come in. And you can bet they will be edited.
Reminds me of a wall at the winery
Asia SF: Can you see the GB bottles?
That really is a man
Kickball on Angel Island
Carly Fedor looking for victims Sat Night
Success!!!
Too bad for Ohio State. At least Rob and Gina have each other.
And even more killers from Nik @
http://flickr.com/photos/20608645@N04/sets/72157607328832206/
Thanks Nik!!!
