My Trips To California & Washington State 1990's

I'm trying very hard to set up a coherent and efficient system where I can blog about the many things that have inspired, help shape and influence and enrich my life so far. I seem to enjoy blogging. It seems to suit me. As my friend Lloyd said to me the other day when she heard I was busily blogging away : " Tony, you were born to blog ". I think that Lloyd you nailed that on the head. Thanks. So this blog is going to reflect on the trips that I took out to the wine country while working as a wholesaler in the 1990's. I went to California and to Washington State and I took lots of pictures, kept my notes and pamphlets and menus signed, labels, etcetera and this is going to be my way of now much later reconnecting with these memories/experiences of mine.

Seeing that it was just Father's Day I am especially happy to be starting with my first trip out to California to stay with my father and visit the wine country with him. I had just started work at Forman Brothers distributing company and I was determined to get my feet finally wet with wine and soil and California experiences. My father and I both loved wine and so this would be enjoyable for the both of it. The idea was to visit wineries that Forman Brothers represented and that I sold and got money representing in the stores in Washington D.C. We went to Geyser Peak and Canyon Road, we visited Simi and Chateau St. Jean and St. Francis, too. We also went to B.V. ( Beaulieu winery founded in 1900 ) and to Rutherford Hill, Villa Mount Eden, Groth, Silver Oak and Stags Leap Wine Cellars. We also drove up into Mendocino to Parducci and into the Anderson Valley to Roederer Estate winery. Going south from San Leandro where my father lived we went to the Congress Springs winery and the Ridge winery in the Santa Cruz mountains and then further south to the Bonny Doon winery. We just missed seeing Randal Grahm because he had the flu I think. Too bad. It wasn't until just recently that I finally got the chance to meet Randal here in Washington D.C. at a luncheon for about twenty or so people. I sat at the same table with him and really enjoyed the experience.

I did not always go alone with my father, there were also some Forman Brothers' company trips where we won contests for selling lots of these wines and were rewarded for it with great luncheons and tastings and accommodations. I'll never forget staying in the Tapestry Room at B'V.'s ranch house out in Napa with Chris Blethen as my roommate. I went out into the vineyards while the others played pool and stared up at a heaven filled to the max with beautiful , bright, clear sparkling-twinkling stars. I was stunned!

So this blog site will concentrate on these trips and anything U.S.A. that I can remember and want to explore and share with the lot of you whoever you may be! Cheers and buckle up for the rides of your lives. I don't play around : this is all such heady/fermenting/hot brewing liquid stuff. TONY