A few years before she died, my grandma decided to take a computer class. I was quite impressed she had the guts to do this but what came out of my mouth was something along the lines of: “Aren’t you too old for this ?” (To this day I think this is why my cousin ended up inheriting her house and not me…). Grandma, a crusty, strict, German-Czech holocaust survivor, raised an eyebrow and proceeded to tell me that just because she remembers sitting on her Grandfather’s lap and hearing stories about how he fought against Napoleon does not mean she feels a day older than eighteen internally.

 

Not that I remember a Napoleonic war or anything… but the next harvest is going to be Longboard’s 10^th vintage. I can sure relate to my Grandma, it seems too soon. To me, it feels like it was just yesterday that I put aside the airbrush and laminating tools and set off to California to study Enology.. Can it be that Longboard is older than a few months? I guess it must be as we are now distributed in more than 20 states and a few lucky countries.

 

As I get closer to being 50 years old, I am slowly becoming my Grandmother… I already have less hair on my head than she did (without the wig) when she hit 85! The other day I taught my kids how to play a vinyl record on the record player and they taught me a few tricks on downloading music to an iPod. I had my eyebrow raised even before they mouthed the question and in a heavy German accent I told them: “I Vill spank you if sink I’m too old for ziss!”

 

 

 

Last week the Press Democrat (local paper) ran a front page story on the popularity of grape varietals. Next to graphs of prices was a photo of Paul Giammatti aka ‘Miles’ of SIDEWAYS fame.  The big local news was the popularity of Pinot Noir, aided (according to the article) by Mile’s professed love for the variety. As a Pinot lover myself there was something in me that rejoiced after reading this headline. I’ve made Pinot Noir every year since 1986 when Scott, my college roommate, and I took grapes from the Robert Young vineyard and fermented them in our Davis garage. After all, this might just signal the beginning of the end of America’s love affair with over-ripe, pruney Cabernets (the equivalent of pouring A-1 sauce on a rare filet mignon.. but that’s just my opinion).   I am afraid, though, that my joy is premature. I forget that more than a love affair with Pinot, America has a love affair with whatever fad is ‘hot’ today. One successful movie does more than propel a finicky variety with a cult following to stardom, it also brings in the crowds. Just like having your sleepy home town’s surf spot featured in a global surf magazine can bring a hoard of weekend warriors, wannabes and some pro’s to your hamlet, ruining the experience for everyone, so is happening on the Pinot Noir scene. So now, from Mendocino to Coachella Valley, growers are ripping out Merlot vineyards and planting Pinot Noir instead. This is great for Merlot and (will be) devastating for Pinot, here’s why: For Merlot, yesterday’s fad, it means that marginal, over cropped, low quality fruit will disappear. Eventually, producing acreage will be in balance with demand, growers who have good fruit will be able to make a buck growing it and winemakers will have choice fruit to work with. EVERYBODY WINS – especially the consumer who trusts their own palate. For Pinot Noir, the opposite is coming:   First, high prices for wine of questionable origins (young vineyards,warm locations, over cropped vineyards). Second, every TDH (that’s Tom Dick and Harry) that owns a fermenting tank or macro bin will be producing a Pinot Noir, realizing sooner or later that in order to compete they need to make it Bigger, Darker and more Alcoholic than their neighbor (You would not believe who is buying Mega-Red and Mega-Purple these days! Both are concentrated grape color concoctions made from other varieties and added to Pinot Noir to make it darker). Third, Syrah and crappy Merlot (the kind that can’t even be used to make a Cabernet better) are already being blended (up to 25%) into the bigger producer’s wines in order to “extend” the blend. As a result, guess what… The majority of Pinot Noirs in our future are of the “Under $18” variety, bland, dark & alcoholic. Great with Pizza but low on the unique balance that makes a great Pinot.

 

Having said all that… and, since you know by now that I like being the underdog and going against the grain… you should understand why I am thrilled to have a Merlot in the Longboard lineup.   Not only am I proud to own and grow Merlot of character, I practically glow when folks stop at the tasting room and end up, sometime reluctantly, tasting the 2005 DaKine Merlot and go WOW! It is easy to say that this is a distinctive and vibrant wine because of the 4% Malbec that is grown with the Merlot but the truth is that what makes this wine great is no secret… just pure old fashioned and honest grape growing, treating old vines (trained low to the ground) with respect, and not cutting any corners. This is the Smith Barney of Merlots, and at a bargain price too!

 

 

You’d think you would be lonely if you opened a surf lounge 45 minutes away from any surfable body of water (up here in landlocked Healdsburg) but you’d be wrong. While on the outside our tasting lounge seems as if it is a Coho Salmon out of water, it makes perfect sense once you step in.   The lounge décor, warm colors, vintage surf photography and vintage boards from Steve Collin’s collection, the surf videos on the Plasma TV work in concert with the wines served in high quality glassware to put people at ease. There has not been a week in which we did not witness people from across the US or across the globe striking a great conversation while leaning on our 12 footer redwood surboard/bartop. There truly is a connection between the surfing tribe and the wine tribe and I think we managed to capture that feeling in our home. In October we had our official open house. We fed Gerard’s Paeilla and Idit’s (Oz Catering) incredible edibles to about 200 guests who seemed to have a blast. We had so many great comments about how people “get it” once they come in and spend some time with us that we finally took the time to give each other a high five coupled with great smile of inner pride.

 

 

 

The Russian River Valley Barrel Weekend is happening during the first two weeks of March. Now that you know about Merlot, maybe it’s time you come down and taste something fun out of one of our barrels… something like… umm…. Pinot Noir maybe?   Yes, of course we have one in the making now that we are masters of our own domain. The 2006 Pinot Noir lots are plain delicious (and it has nothing in it but Pinot Noir!) and we will offer a taste of them and some other gems during the barrel weekend. Come by and taste the passion.

 

 

 

If you are getting this it means you are on our mailing list, so here is an opportunity not available to all. Call, email or come by and mention this newsletter and we will let you steal 6 bottles of Longboard for $20 each out the door (we pay the tax). Mix and match between the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 Merlot, 2003 or 2004 Russian River Syrah (sorry, not available for the Cabernets or DaKine Syrah). Shipping charges not included.

 

This offer is good only through May 31^st, 2006 Only.

 

MAHALO,

The Bro's  (The 'S' is for Sadie!)