Doon on the Clos was a huge success! At the end of all the planning and phone calls, emails and tweets, people showed up, people drank, they ate, they listened, and they bought wine.
A highlight of the evening was an open discussion on biodynamics as well as the philosophies of Bonny Doon’s Randall Grahm and Clos Pepe’s Wes Hagen. It was spirited, let’s put it that way. As I get some time, we will post some of that content. … Continue Reading
There were many stand-out moments at this year’s Hospice du Rhône. For Damaris and I, our first Hospice, the entire weekend was special, with many opportunities to try new things.
Of course, the wine was fantastic, but we start our Hospice coverage with a focus on another aspect of the event, the food. Good wine exists for good food, not the other way around. After all, we can live without wine (sort of), but not without food.
This year, we were thrilled to learn that Sondra Bernstein of The Girl and the Fig, in Sonoma, and Sam Beall of Blackberry Farm, outside of Maryville in Eastern Tennessee, would be showcasing their cuisine. We were fans of the simple rustic style of The Girl and the Fig already and are now equally enthusiastic fans of the terroir driven cuisine of Blackberry Farm. … Continue Reading
I am a daydreamer. I often spend too much time pondering what could be and playing out scenarios in my head over and over.
Today, we are thrilled to announce that one of those scenarios is coming to fruition.
Over the course of our voyages, we have met many fine and wonderful winemakers, but few more so than Mr. Randall Grahm, the Great Pontificator and President for Life of Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz, California. We’ve had the grand privilege of sharing some wonderful moments with him, such as the dedication of Popelouchum, his new organic (bio-dynamic, bio-charred, bio-charged) vineyard in San Juan Bautista. … Continue Reading
This was a lot harder than we thought it would be, but the response was amazing.
First, let me say how happy we were to receive so many great images and from all over the World! In total, we had over 160 entries with participants from Guadalajara- Mexico, Mexico City, Cleveland Ohio, Santa Cruz California (go Slugs!), Philly PA, Chicago Illinois, Seattle Washington, Buellton California, Davis California, Lompoc California, San Luis Obispo California, Brooklyn New York, Malvern PA, Bel Air Maryland, Wellington New Zealand, Rocky Hill Connecticut, Tucson Arizona, Naaldwijk Netherlands, Baltimore Maryland, Milano Italy, Brescia Italy, Montevideo Uruguay, Ventura California, Santa Barbara California, and others. … Continue Reading
So this blows my mind a bit, over 100 entries! *UPDATE, 160 ENTRIES!* From all over too, the U.S., Mexico, France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Italy, the Netherlands. I didn’t have time to put a name on each one yet, but hover over them with your cursor and the name will pop up. I am still missing a few images and please feel free to email me if you don’t see yours, alongpour@gmail.com
Keep them coming, you have until Midnight tonight to get them in!
-Wayne
We always envisioned A Long Pour as a space where we can support people, not just objects. I am proud of the work we have done in creating a project that speaks to the passions of people rather than trivial criticisms.
For us, the visual image is just as important to our stories as the words. Sometimes, the best way to tell a story is to attempt to do so in pictures.
These days, there are many amazing tools to help us do that. One of those amazing tools is Hipstamatic, an app for the iPhone. What we love about Hipstamatic is the analog approach to a digital medium. Like traditional film, there is some thought that goes into it. Unlike other apps that let you edit an image after taking it, Hipstamatic requires some creative thought. What lens will I use? What film? What combinations work best for this situation? The results are often unexpected and incredibly beautiful.
It takes a lot of energy and patience to find those special wines in a sea of mediocrity and the same can be said for the “wine blog.” If you are anything like me (which isn’t likely because you are reading this, and I don’t know how to read), you have little time to keep up with everything you would like to. When I can make time to catch up on some online reading, I spend my time with those who have fresh ideas, a fresh voice, or a fresh approach.
So I was thrilled the day I stumbled on Quit WINEing. Author Courtney Rich knows few boundaries in expressing her zeal for wine. Her style and attention to the visual details is unmatched, but she has more than creative zeal. A certified Sommelier, Courtney backs up her flare for the bizarre with classic wine knowledge. She isn’t just scooping something off a shelf and giving it a badge, or smiley face, or whatever, these are thoughtful (but fun) musings on wine from a serious wine advocate, with a not so serious self-image. … Continue Reading
There are a few moments in our travels over the last 27 months that have changed everything for us, our perspective, our vision, our goals.
Jason Haas at Tablas Creek, Adam Tolmach of The Ojai Vineyard, my initial visit to Jordan Winery, Matthias Pippig, Randall Grahm, Matt Trevisan. Sometimes it was the people, sometimes the vineyards, but all of them changed our way of thinking in one way or another and we are thankful for it.
There is one other name on that list that I might possibly put at the very top. He, through the thoughtfulness of his words, the clarity of his vision, and the character of his heart, has shown us, has shown me a new way, the way I wish all people could see wine. Beyond the big picture, beyond a product, there is the infinite immenseness that is all the small things, of the earth, of the soil, of the plants and bugs, of the terroir. It is these things he has encouraged me to see, to try to find.
His name is Nick de Luca, and he is Ground Effect Wine. … Continue Reading
The Best Things that Happened to A Long Pour this Year:
In no particular order, here are the best things that happened to A Long Pour this year, some of which has already appeared on ALP. … Continue Reading
How do you measure a man? How do you judge his life’s work? Is it by wealth, by notoriety, the opinions of others? For the banker, is it by the quantity of his assets, or the doctor by the lives he saved? What about the winemaker, is it his vineyard, his winery, his wine? How do [...]
I have seen two of Bob Davids’ homes. One is a gorgeous tropical pavilion in the foothills of Mount Batur, Bali. The other, is a 20′ tow behind trailer perched high on a hillside overlooking his Sta. Rita Hills vineyard. The first I saw on page 68 of August’s Architectural Digest and the latter I [...]
