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I took half of it with me and the wife on a weekend trip to Santa Barbara to hang out with Kathy’s sister and her boyfriend. We had the good fortune of being there while the Santa Barbara International Film Festival was in full swing. Saw four films in two days, including a couple of fine films on architect I. M. Pei and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. However, my favorite was a film called OUT OF PLACE, about the subculture of a group of slackers in Cleveland, Ohio, whose collective passion is surfing Lake Erie – in winter! The director, photographer, and several surfers were at the screening, and had a discussion after the film. They seemed normal.
So it’s back home for a few days to catch up with goings on at the winery, keep up with the Winter Olympics, and get the garden ready for serious planting. Then it’s off to Hawaii to spend some time with our pal Joe the coffee grower in Kona. We’ve been going there every February for the past few years; a great way to spend a late winter week. While we’re gone, winemaker Evelyn and Laurie will pour our BEST OF CLASS 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay at the San Francisco Chronicle’s American Wine Competition Awards Tasting at Fort Mason this Saturday, February 20th. If you haven’t been to one of these affairs, do so; they are a true spectacle.
Upon our return from the Big Island we will be blessed by a visit from our son Matt, his wife Anne and his lordship Otto – grandson extraordinaire. They’ll be here for two weeks before returning to Shanghai. Can’t wait.
It’s off to the winery now for our weekly management meeting, and then another conversation with Evelyn. I think we’ll talk about how she manages to continually create scrumptious Chardonnay.
Until next time.
Cheers,
Mike Tierney
President, Taft Street