BLOGSCHU

Post Thanksgiving Thanks

Settling back in after a wonderful few days deep in the forest.

A few years ago, we began a tradition of heading off to a remote ranch in northern California to celebrate Thanksgiving with my wife's family. Liz's parents are avid naturalists and met the conservationist owner of the ranch years ago. The property has been in his family for over 70 years, and consists of 3,000 acres of grasslands and redwood groves, and even has its own lake. It basically operates as a preserve. The few residences are clustered together, leaving the vast majority of the ranch wild - as in no agricultural or grazing activites, and very limited motor vehicle access. Lots of wildlife, including birds, deer, mountain lion and bear. The owner favors renting the houses onsite out to other naturalists. Lucky for us, the Nagels qualify.

The house we stay in is rustic. Though it is 60+ years old, it only got electrity around ten years ago. It is heated by a wood stove, and the ample cooking stove is propane-fueled. The kitchen/dining/living area is conducive to preparing and consuming big meals, which is pretty much all we do, between hikes, games, piano playing, and, for the adults, wine drinking. My brother-in-law works for the Wagner family (Caymus, Belle Glos, etc.) and has his own great Pinot and Chardonnay brand called Chronicle. I suppose in the wine department it is an embarassment of riches. This year was all California. Sparkling wine, Pinot, Cabernet and Merlot, and of course Gewurztraminer!

Each year I try to break away for a lengthy hike to explore the property. This time I went south and didn't turn around until 2.5 hours into the walk when I hit the property line. It was along a river, many (as in ouch) feet in elevation below my starting point.

I took a few photos, which you can see below.

Foggy Morning Start

 

Side Slope Oak. Wish my hair looked like that.

 

Who says we don't get fall colors in California?

 

Greeting party upon my return. Daughter Eva on left and cousins Lauren and Drew.

It was a rare and much-appreciated break from the 'connectivity' of cell phones, tv and the internet. Funny how much more connected you can feel when you disconnect for a while.

When I plugged back in, I found my email box full of awesome responses to my pre-Thanksgiving post, and just had to share a few of them with you. What great people GB wine drinkers are!!

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 6:26 PM

Hi Jeff:

We've never met, but your winery was the first stop my wife and I made on our 1988 honeymoon. We've been WOMers for probably 20 years and always open a bottle of your wine on Thanksgiving.

Cheers to you, your family and your wine!

BP

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:21 PM

Such a fabulous note you sent. To celebrate I purchased two GWTZ to take for my Gobble day dinner with family. You and your family have a great Thanksgiving.

Rosie *_*

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:26 PM

Jeff,

Can you assure me that no Gewurtztraminer was harmed in the making of these videos?

Lee

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:44 PM
And to you and your family as well. Great videos!

Still re-living the magical moments form our daughter's wedding at Gun-Bun on 10/1/11. Truly memorable. Thanks!

All the best,

Peter & Pam

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:05 PM
Jeff, Jim and the whole Bundschu (Gundlach) clan,

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

Your "Cajun" cousin,

J. Gundlach

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Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 4:27 AM

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Jeff. Thank you for the warm greeting. We, too, will be raising a glass of Gundlach Bundschu wine as we celebrate our blessings with you!

Kindest regards,
Lisa Scott

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Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 1:10 PM
To: Info
Subject: RE: Happy Turkey Day, and Thank You - Autoforwarded

Jeff,

I loved the videos and guess what I am drinking with my turkey? GBundschu Gewurztraminer. I did not even have to cross the road, just walk to the cellar.
Cheers,

Wanda

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Hi Jeff,
I loved the videos and plan to show them on Thanksgiving Day to whomever ends up at our turkey day table. Honey Badger...move over. I also have two bottles of your Gewurztraminer for dinner. Being that I am the cheapest person when it comes to buying wine, you should be impressed! My best to you and all the Bundschus...
Susan

Music Monday

Pies - Thanksgiving 2011

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I don't know about you but this was an especially rough Monday morning. Let's listen to some music to take the sting away.

Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday. You can access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011

"Two Cousins" - Slow Club
With the year quickly coming to a close, I'm feeling pressure to make sure that I include all of my favorite 2011 songs in our Music Monday playlist. This song has been on my radar since this English folk-rock duo released their new album Paradise in September. 

"Street Joy" - White Denim
I've heard this band a lot recently on KCRW and indeed their recent album D ended up on a few of the "Top 10 Music Albums of 2011" lists from the KCRW DJ's. 

"Only Wanna Give It To You" - Elle Varner Featuring J. Cole
I'm digging this song from Varner's upcoming album, Perfectly Imperfect. It takes me back to, as the NY Times wrote, "an era when dropping 16-bar verses on R&B songs was a legitimate career path."

"I'm Losing My Mind" - Wise Blood
Chris Laufman is the writer, singer and producer behind Wise Blood. He describes his sound as "future music" - to me, I hear a little WU LYF and a little Prince. This track is from his debut album These Wings.

"Lonely Boy" - The Black Keys
This track is from The Black Keys' upcoming album, El Camino, which will be released December 6th. The band released a funny trailer for the album that features funny man Bob Odenkirk.

Cheers, Lisa

Happy Turkey Day, and Thank You

At Gundlach Bundschu, we began celebrating Thanksgiving back in August, when I first put on the turkey suit. Since then, we've released three short videos starring the most voracious creature on youtube since the honey badger - a wild turkey with an insatiable thirst for gewurztraminer. If you know anything about us, you know we aren't afraid to look silly to promote seriously good wine, and I hope you'll find these videos entertaining. All three are now live at www.gunbun.com/turkeylove, or click on the images below.

Now that Thanksgiving is just a few days away, it is time to celebrate in earnest. I truly love this holiday - there's nothing better than gathering the family and close friends for a long, delicious meal and taking the time to reflect on and appreciate the things we are most thankful for.

And when I look around my table and toast my family with a glass of Gundlach Bundschu wine, I am deeply grateful and moved to imagine that some of you are doing the same. And so I raise my glass to each of you as well, and thank you for supporting our wines and our family's business. Best wishes to each of you for a healthy, happy and delicious Thanksgiving holiday.

Cheers,
Jeff Bundschu

EPISODE ONE: ON THE HUNT

 EPISODE TWO: ALWAYS A SMASH

EPISODE THREE: REFRESHINGLY DRY

Music Monday :: Fall Favorites

Lisa's Fall Favorites
Finds from the Internet and the Actual, Live, Real World

A few months ago, I posted a list of "Summer Favorites" and it seemed to be a hit (which means I actually heard from someone who reads the blog!) so I thought that I would try it again.

I am fascinated by everything and I always keep track of things that I come across that tickle my fancy in the world of music, reading, writing, design, architecture, politics, cooking - you get the drift. Here are some of my favorites that I came across this fall while wandering around the Interwebs and beyond:

You can't go wrong if you cook this for Thanksgiving. And even this dreaded vegetable tastes good when it's cooked like this. 

Speaking of cooking, here's a new cookbook from my favorite LA restaurant.

And speaking of books, I really enjoyed reading this and this.

I know I'm late to the game on this one, but I'm finally watching this and I can't get enough of it.

And I know that I'm late on this too but damn, that's funny.

I love his new podcast and her new website.

If you like to fantasize about winning the lottery and re-doing your house then this website is for you. Or you could just buy the house of your dreams. Or just downsize and live here.

This guy & gal can really sing.

These animal prints are fantastic.

Maybe there is hope for public education in this country.

What will you do this weekend?

This made me look. And this too.

I am intrigued and freaked out by this website. 

 A "Friend" request from beyond the grave.

It's refreshing to see the beauty and utility of such simple things as this and this. 

I love this idea of Remembering Forward.

I love this behind the scenes, simply illustrated guide to touring from musicans Thao + Mirah.

Looking for fun, unique holiday gifts? How about this, this or this? And pretty much anything on this website.

These are going into our Christmas stockings for sure.

Speaking of Christmas, I love these holiday cards.

If you are sick of me spouting off about the benefits of Spotify, then maybe you should give this a try instead.

Here are the first and second lists of bands that have been invited to play SXSW 2012.

This is why the Internet is good.

And this is why every moment in life is precious. Really.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Before we delve into the music, I want to take this opportunity to thank Jeff & all the fine folks at Gun Bun for giving me this opportunity to contribute to Blogschu. I am grateful. I'm also thankful for my supportive family and for my friends who keep me on my toes. What are you thankful for this holiday season? 

Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday. You can access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011

"Outside" - Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) has been everywhere promoting the launch of his debut album but this interview is my favorite. 

"Pressure And Time" - Rival Sons
I found this song on the @brokemogul radio playlist on Spotify. The brokemogul is actually Scott Vener who is the music supervisor for shows such as Entourage and How To Make It In America. His blog is always full of interesting music tidbits. I had not heard of Rival Sons before but they sure do rock. This track is from their first full label debut which was released a few months ago.

"When I Grow Up" - First Aid Kit
I discovered this Swedish folk duo on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. These teenaged siblings came to the world's attention after posting a gorgeous cover of a Fleet Foxes song to YouTube in 2008. They've recently been touring the US and they'll release a new album in January 2012.

"4 AM - Adam K & Soha Radio Edit" - Kaskade
I've been on a bit of an electronic music kick lately and Kaskade does not disappoint. Is this famous electronic DJ really a teetotaling Mormon father of three kids? Why yes, yes he is.

"California Sunrise" - Dirty Gold
For those of you in parts of the country that are settling into winter temperatures, here is a little dose of California sunshine from three high school kids from San Diego. 

"Hometown Glory" - Adele
Wishing Adele a speedy recovery from throat surgery. This is my favorite song of hers. She wrote it in 10 minutes after a fight with her mom and recorded it at the ripe old age of 19. 

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!
- Lisa

Jumping In

Hi -It’s Jeff.

It is the dawn of Thanksgiving week and we are knee deep in the midst of budgets and strategic planning in the office and putting red wines to bed in the cellar.   Was told in one meeting point blank that I need to get out more, as in my voice.. To give Lisa and the team and you all some love.  And to talk about wine, instead of music, turkeys, kids sports, etc.   So here I am.  This past week I managed to taste wines from the following wineries: Chappellet, Sonoma Cutrer, Orin Swift/Franciscan, Anaba, Hall, Black Stallion, Sojourn, Billecart Salmon, Selene, Rochioli, and of course at least 7 from Gundlach Bundschu.  Not a bad week.  The standouts, as I reflect back, were the Champagne and the Anaba Chardonnay.  The former is not surprising but the latter is. Anaba is a relatively new neighbor in Sonoma and their Sonoma Coast Chard was delectable.   I also listened to a ton of Friendly Fires and recommend you do too!!!  Couldn’t help but mention that!

PS Lisa's Music Monday's ROCK!!

 

Music Monday

I'm still coming down from a jam-packed music weekend so please excuse the brevity in my post today.

Friday night was Phantogram at the Music Box where I watched my girl-crush Sarah Barthel KILL it with her collaborator Josh Carter:

Photo courtesy of Knocksteady.

And Saturday night was the Gun Bun favorite Fruit Bats at the venerable Troubadour:

Photo courtsey of Rod Blackhurst.

With all the hullabaloo around the delivery of music these days, it was refreshing to experience music the way it's best heard: live.

Here are my picks for this week's Music Monday. You can access the playlist via Spotify here: GunBun Music Monday 2011

"Make A Fist" - Phantogram
I am a rabid fan of this electronic rock-duo. This track is from their new album Nightlife which was released last week. You should also check out their debut album Eyelid Movies  - it's my favorite.

"The Same Thing" - Cass McCombs
I like the description of McCombs in this article: "He's a songwriter's songwriter." This track is from his second album of 2011, Humor Risk. It will be released tomorrow.

"Make My" - The Roots, Big K.R.I.T, Dice Raw
The Roots have released this lead single in advance of their 13th album, undun, which is due out in early December. You can read more about this "concept" album here and you can watch the video for this track here.

"Reaching Through To The Other Side" - My Brightest Diamond
No matter where you fall on the love it/hate it spectrum of this group's eclectic sound, there is no denying the unique and fabulous quality of lead singer Shara Worden's voice.

"Keep Time" - Gauntlet Hair
The silly picture of the guys behind this Denver-based band (with an equally silly name) would lead you to believe that they have a light, funny sense of themselves. But the haunting video of this track might make you think otherwise.

And lastly, here is a video of one of my favorite bands, Mumford & Sons, playing a new song last week on a Philly radio station. I am eagerly awaiting a new album from these guys.

Cheers, Lisa