It’s raining ash in wine country
I really didn’t plan for my first official “Sip with Nikki” newsletter to be about wine country being devastated by fire. But I guess you can’t really plan for these things.
We are in the middle of a horrific firestorm here in both Napa and Sonoma counties- and it is truly heart wrenching and scary. If you didn’t get a chance to see my Facebook Live update yesterday, I share my thoughts on how we’re handling it all and why it’s so heartbreaking.
https://www.facebook.com/1369851628/videos/10224142233248130/?extid=NAEn6fHwVzM8t0By
People losing homes and properties is just sad in a way that hurts to the core. Believe me, I know. But as I am hearing the growing list of wineries lost, there is a certain type of sadness that accompanies that news. Today I had plenty of time to really think about why it’s so upsetting to hear of these properties and these brands, losing vines, structures and yes, wine.
I think it’s because of a couple things…
If you have visited wineries out here (or even in your own home state), you know that it truly is a labor of love. There are many other businesses one could go into and make a hell of a lot more money in a hell of a lot less time with a hell of a lot less risk than wine (spoken, firsthand from an entrepreneur in the throws of creating a wine brand).But most of the families and people that get involved in this business have a love of the craft, the process and of course the product.Many are multi-generational. The wine is their legacy.
Wine is emotional. It’s personal. It speaks to us about the place where it grew and the people who shepherded it all along its journey.It has history.
I recently heard an impactful quote from a well known wine writer, 81-year-old Hugh Johnson, during a live webinar this week. He said:
“Great wines don’t make statements- they ask questions…”
They make us stop and wonder- What is that smell? What is that taste? What does that remind me of? What does the place look like where this came from? Who was the person that made all the decisions to get this from the vine to the bottle? How do I feel when I sip this wine?
And that is what I love about it the most. And I think that is why when we see the destruction, charring of the land, buildings and bottles, we feel a different kind of loss and sadness.
Each week I promise to bring you thoughts and tips on this simple yet complex beverage that often brings me to tears. Today, the tears are just for a different reason.
Thank you for reading, friend.
Sip Well.
Nikki