No Blog Is An Island – An Alliance of Five
“I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal. Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.” Benjamin Franklin
At the founding of A Long Pour there was a philosophy, to work in support of those who support wine. Call my work puff pieces (HoseMaster), but I love the people I have met and I love writing about them. However, I have only the undeveloped voice of a mere virgin and there is so much to say about the topic at hand. I wanted to build partnerships with other bloggers to strengthen A Long Pour’s voice from a lone murmur to a beautiful chorus and I was eager to offer myself, like the foolish virgin offering her amity to the blogging world. After suffering refusals, I had an awakening, a sea change in thought.
Recently, I was reflecting on the success of my project and the goodly nature of the fine people who make their living at wine and who have so kindly lent me support. I have shaken hands and shared glasses with some inspiring people. A few of them write brilliant vineyard blogs. It was in reflection of that point that it occurred to me, what better partnership than a partnership with wineries? So, to enrich my jolly virginity, I have an exciting partnership to announce that I hope strengthens the voice of the cause, to champion California wine.
Starting next week, A Long Pour will be featuring four vineyard blogs, one each week. I could not be happier about these four.
Clos Pepe – Few winemakers are as dynamic and inspiring as Vineyard Manager and Winemaker Wes Hagen. Wes’ Clos Pepe Vineyard provides fruit to some of the most sought after wines in Santa Barbara County (The Ojai Vineyard, Diatom, Loring Wine Company, and others). In addition, Wes crafts some of the most delicate Pinots in all the land. Find out what happens when you mix a degree in creative writing with growing Chardonnay and Pinot grapes in the Sta. Rita Hills (an AVA he helped define by the way).
Tablas Creek. Do I need to say anything more? In my opinion, Tablas Creek set the bar on vineyard blogs just like they did with California Rhone wines. Led by Jason Haas, Tablas Creek’s blog remains one of the most insightful on wine period. Enough said.
Ridge. When I interview winemakers and ask them who has inspired them, I repeatedly get two responses: Tablas Creek and Ridge. As an icon of California wine who still knows where their soul is, it is exciting to see Ridge’s recent adventures into wine blogging lead by Christopher Watkins. Chris’ work lead to a position as finalist for best Vineyard blog at this year’s Wine Bloggers Conference, alongside Tablas Creek and others.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery. Lisa Mattson has been enormously helpful throughout my project. Jordan has put together one of the most thoughtful and well crafted vineyard blogs I have come across. With high quality video content, they are bringing the Jordan experience to life for those who cannot experience it in person.
Each of these wineries represents a unique region and a unique approach to winemaking. I am proud to call them all friends and am excited to see what comes from this social media experiment. What they write is their own; I offer only a conduit to a new audience.
It was John Donne who said, “all mankind is of one author, and is one volume.” My voice is just a page, a paragraph in a much larger volume where “every chapter must be so translated.” It is something as trivial as fermented grape juice that has called us all, but to so many it represents generations of dedication and a way of life. A Long Pour will continue to support those who put their passion in a bottle for each of us to enjoy. I am and always hope to be involved with mankind and pursue man’s story.
