Memorable Toasts
There are good ships, and there are wood ships,
There are ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.
There are ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and a smooth road all the way to your door.
a full moon on a dark night,
and a smooth road all the way to your door.
Always remember to forget,
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
May neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
May you have the highsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.
Every year, we meet many winemakers. Our members get to know the featured winery families--their history, vision, humor and outlook. Here are some of their most memorable quotes:
"Some people start a winery because they love Bordeaux or German Riesling. Instead, I fell in love with wine by bringing in the grapes, fermenting the fruit and working with my hands. I found a passion for the labor side of it. My grandfathers worked in the coal mines and on the railroads, so maybe that's in my blood."
~ Erik Miller, Founder/Winemaker, Kokomo Winery
~ Erik Miller, Founder/Winemaker, Kokomo Winery
"If we work hard together, the family will stay together."
~ Reynaldo Robledo, Founder, Robledo Family Winery
~ Reynaldo Robledo, Founder, Robledo Family Winery
"In racing, there is no question who is best - the first one to cross the finish line wins first prize. But with wine, even if you make the best wine in the world, someone isn't going to like it, because it isn't their style. Judging wine is very subjective."
~ Mario Andretti, Founder, Andretti Winery
~ Mario Andretti, Founder, Andretti Winery
"...when you buy just two or three tons from a grower, they see the artisan work you do with their grapes, and then they want to give you their good fruit. By keeping small I can put my heart into it."
~ John Ramsey, Founder, JR Wines
~ John Ramsey, Founder, JR Wines
"We have had one full-time helper for the past 11 years. Before that Jim and I did it all together. I know every vine ... I'd be out there pruning right now, but it's blowing 50 mph. I love pruning. How you prune affects the vines for years."
~ Barbara Richards, who co-founded Paloma Vineyard on Spring Mountain with her late husband, Jim
~ Barbara Richards, who co-founded Paloma Vineyard on Spring Mountain with her late husband, Jim
"In 1996, DuMOL was born in a Burgundy haze.
~ Kerry Murphy, Founder, DuMOL Winery, Russian River Valley
~ Kerry Murphy, Founder, DuMOL Winery, Russian River Valley
"Like winemaking, medicine is a combination of science and art. Yet, medicine is so serious and consequences are critical. For doctors, farming is a wonderful change of pace. You can use the same skills as with medicine, but with less gravitas."
~ Jan Krupp, co-Founder, Krupp Brothers
~ Jan Krupp, co-Founder, Krupp Brothers
"I handcraft very small amounts of wine and sell it only in Northern California. You won't find my wine anywhere else."
~ Suzanne Hagins, Founder/Winemaker, Lutea Sonoma
~ Suzanne Hagins, Founder/Winemaker, Lutea Sonoma
"He was always telling us what he planned on this or that part of the property. He had a vision of this winery from the very start."
~ Phil Ross, Proprietor, Diamond Creek Vineyards (Napa), recalling his stepfather and winery founder Al Brounstein
~ Phil Ross, Proprietor, Diamond Creek Vineyards (Napa), recalling his stepfather and winery founder Al Brounstein
"When I bought it, I thought it should be the next Yosemite, and if it can grow grapes, what a nice extra."
~ Jim Dierberg, co-Founder, Dierberg Estate and Star Lane Winery, on his reaction the property he bought in Happy Canyon in Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley
~ Jim Dierberg, co-Founder, Dierberg Estate and Star Lane Winery, on his reaction the property he bought in Happy Canyon in Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley
"We called it Chateau Jeepers - when you drank it, you went 'oh jeepers!'"
~ Steve Dragonette, co-founder, Dragonette Cellars, on tasting the wine their father used to make in their garage
~ Steve Dragonette, co-founder, Dragonette Cellars, on tasting the wine their father used to make in their garage
"Fess hitchhiked up the California coastline. He talked about being smitten with Santa Barbara, and that always stuck in his head."
~ Tim Snider, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards President and son-in-law, on how "Davy Crockett" ended up making wine in Santa Barbara County
~ Tim Snider, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards President and son-in-law, on how "Davy Crockett" ended up making wine in Santa Barbara County
"Dad always sought more efficient, earth-friendly ways to make better wines."
~ Brett deLeuze, ZD Wines President, speaking about his father and co-founder Norman deLeuze (ZD is one of Napa's leaders in conservation of energy use and environment)
~ Brett deLeuze, ZD Wines President, speaking about his father and co-founder Norman deLeuze (ZD is one of Napa's leaders in conservation of energy use and environment)