The wines were fabulous. The food (with rare exceptions) was wonderful. The wineries were hospitable and the winemakers were generous with their time and their wines.

What made the tour so special, however, was the people.

There was not a person in the group that I did not enjoy meeting. I only regret there was not enough time to get to know everybody as well as I would have liked. Some fine friendships have been forged, and my life has been enriched.

In the weeks following the tour, I was determined not to respond to the flurry of negative posts on the WS board. Russell was accused of everything from misogyny to being the reason the United States would never become a wine drinking nation. My reaction to the flames eventually evolved from outrage and anger to sadness – and I’ll tell you why.

It’s sad that some folks seem to be missing the best part of this whole cyberwine experience.

I have come to believe that wine is, among other things, a sacrament. It can gladden the heart and soothe the soul. It can be the vehicle of friendship and help to break down the barriers that separate people. It can bring out the best in us: goodwill, sharing, brotherhood.

So let me make you an offer…

Come to an offline – put a face to a cybername, pull a cork with folks you haven’t met before, share a meal with strangers – they will not be strangers for long.

Create an offline yourself – post an invite on the boards, put out a notice when you’re traveling out of town, give me a holler if you’re coming to the Left Coast – you might be surprised at the response.

Or, you can…

Get on a bus !!!

Wine, like friendship, is a gift to be shared. If you put some positive energy out there, it will come back to you many times over.

I am proud and blessed to have you as a friend.

 califusa

Left Coast Correspondent for the Gang of Pour
October, 1998