My friends and I go winetasting several times per year. We pick an exciting region (usually in California, the Pacific Northwest; sometimes in Italy) and plan vineyards to visit and new varietals to try. It is always among the trips I look forward to the most every year. Wine country, in any country, brings me a peace and rejuvenation that I struggle to properly describe. But I'll try.
Along the rolling hills of wine country lies a world of beauty, complexity, and flavor waiting to be explored and appreciated. Setting out on a journey through winetasting, visiting vineyards, conversing with winemakers and fellow tasters, savoring delicious wines, and sharing these experiences with friends is not just an indulgence for the palate; to me it's a metaphor for savoring the deliciousness of life itself.
The Prelude: Anticipation and Preparation
As you plan your excursion into the heart of wine country, there's an unmistakable sense of anticipation of all of the enjoyment and discovery ahead. It's a lot like the excitement that wells up within us when we embark on a new chapter of life. Just as we carefully plan our winetasting itinerary (along with a picnic basket with food pairings) and lunch and dinner spots to coordinate the experience, we navigate life's road ahead (anticipating its twists and turns without truly knowing what or where they are) with careful consideration, eager for the anticipated future to unfold into the all-consuming present.
"In life, we all possess the potential for greatness, but it is the kinetic energy of our actions that determines our trajectory." - Anonymous
The Vineyard Visits: Exploring the Roots and Blooms of Life
Stepping into a vineyard, to me, is as close to stepping into the Garden of Eden as any place I have ever discovered. I suppose the difference being that a vineyard is a like a garden in which man has collaborated with God on its creation and exposition. Rows upon rows of grapevines stretch out before you, each one a testament to intention, resilience, and growth. Just as vines dig their roots deep into the earth to absorb nutrients and water and turn their face towards to horizon to find light, we too must ground ourselves deeply in our values and beliefs, while turning to the light of the horizon to navigate through life's challenges and produce something of value.
As I walk among the vines, tracing the curve of the land and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, I'm reminded of the importance of embracing the present moment (a much needed lesson-review for my daily life). Life, like a vineyard, needs constant, consistent care and cultivation. Without this intentional effort, it will become an overgrown, underdeveloped mess with little production or value. It's in the midst of this consistent effort where we find beauty and growth.
"Like a fine wine, success is the result of patience, dedication, and hard work." - Unknown
Conversations with Winemakers: A Story in Every Bottle
One of the most enriching aspects of winetasting is the opportunity to converse with the passionate individuals behind the wine – the winemakers. Theirs is a craft honed over years of dedication, sacrifice, and experience, much like the wisdom gained through the passage of time in life. Generally, it takes between 2 to 5 years for a newly planted vine to produce grapes suitable for winemaking. However, in some cases, it may take longer for the vine to reach full maturity and produce high-quality fruit. So those early years represent only investment and sacrifice with no product to enjoy, to share, or to sell. Similar to the story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, wine teaches us success lessons on patience, faith, perseverance, growth, and development. It's an inspiring lesson that helps you to understand the importance of trusting the process and never giving up on your dreams and goals.
In chatting with winemakers, you glean insights into their process, their philosophies, their patience, and their reverence for the land. Each bottle tells a complete story many years in the making – of the soil, the climate, and the hands that tediously tended to the vines. Similarly, each one of us is a product of the nature and nurture of every interaction in our lives. We are the wine of our regions and generations, and we are the winemakers of the next. Every interaction in life presents an opportunity to learn and grow from each other, to understand the world through someone else's eyes, and to enrich our own understanding of our shared human experience.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." - Chinese proverb
Winetasting with Friends: Shared Experiences, Lasting Memories
Winetasting with friends adds an extra layer of joy and camaraderie to the experience. As you swirl, sniff, and sip together, you're not just savoring the wine; you're savoring the bonds of friendship and the shared moments of laughter and discovery. In the company of friends, even the simplest pleasures become imbued with meaning and significance. I highly recommend grabbing some good friends, and planning a trip on a wine trail together.
"Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read." - Francis Bacon
Exploring the Region Through Winetasting: A Window into the Soul of the Land
Wherever your travels take you, never miss the opportunity to go winetasting and get a sense of the region and the land. Winetasting offers a unique perspective on the cultural and geographical landscape of a place, allowing you to connect with its history, its people, and its traditions in a profound and organic way.
Whether you find yourself in the sun-drenched vineyards of California, the rolling hills of Tuscany, or the picturesque valleys of New Zealand, even the frostier regions of Canada, each winetasting experience offers a glimpse into the soul of the land. Through the flavors and aromas of the wine, you can taste the terroir (the land) – the unique characteristics of the soil and climate that give each wine its distinctive personality.
"Wine is sunlight, held together by water." - Galileo Galilei
Savoring Delicious Wines: Embracing Life's Joys
Finally, there comes the moment of truth – the tasting. As you finally tip your glass you're transported on a journey of scent and flavor. Each wine is an opera, a multi-faceted work of art, a culmination of nature's bounty and human ingenuity. In savoring these delicious wines, we're reminded to cherish life's simple pleasures – the laughter of loved ones, the warmth of the sun, the roads you've traveled in life that have brought you here; all represented by the taste of a perfectly ripened and cultivated grape.
But beyond the inherent flavorful delight of indulging in artisanal wine lies a deeper truth – the importance of savoring every moment, both bitter and sweet. Life, like a well-aged wine, is meant to be savored slowly, with reverence and appreciation for all its nuances and complexities.
"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing." - Ernest Hemingway
Conclusion: A Toast to Life's Vintage
As we eventually and inevitably bid farewell to wine country, our hearts are full, our senses alive with the memories of the vineyards we explored, the wines we savored, and the friendships we cultivated. In the seasons of life, each experience – whether joyous or challenging – adds depth and richness to the narrative of our story.
So, here's to life's vintage – to the journey of discovery, the wisdom gained, and the moments savored along the way. May we approach each day with the same curiosity and reverence with which we approach a glass of handcrafted wine, knowing that the true essence of life lies in the simple act of savoring its depth. Hopefully I'll see you out on the wine trail. Cheers!