Let’s get one thing straight, right off the bat – there are a TON of really, really good wines out there. I mean, think about it – these days there are great Winemakers all over the world, producing all sorts of amazing varietals in every imaginable style at every price point. To be honest, that’s great for the consumer but a real pain in the butt for me when I pour Michel-Schlumberger wines at an off-site event along with up to a hundred or more other fine wineries. To stand out in such company, especially when pouring for folks who have not had the privilege of visiting our winery, requires a real sense of connection between the tasters and the wine. That’s where I come in. Part of my job is to facilitate that connection – to meet with people and somehow show them what makes Michel-Schlumberger what it is. And when I pour for people I’ll happily discuss the details of wine chemistry and vineyard nutrients and the pros and cons of natural cork but what I’m most interested in is trying to convey the SPIRIT of Michel-Schlumberger (I know that may sound cheesy but that’s all I’ve got – I guess I’m kinda weird like that). And, to me, our SPIRIT is the sum of exceptional people who love what they are doing, making exceptional wine in an exceptional place. And, most importantly, doing it in an environmentally friendly way.
That’s why next year I’m going to try something both new and cool. I am officially announcing the latest, greatest thing ever to hit the world of wine education and I call it Worms to Wine (remember, you heard it here first).
It all started at these off-site tastings I was talking about. I keep get the same question over and over: “What in the world do vegetables, beehives, chickens, sheep and pigs have to do with growing grapes and making wine?” A good answer to that question is not only quite long but also very difficult to express in a noisy, crowded hall in 5 minutes or less. The best way, I figured, is to get small groups of people to the very source and actually SHOW them firsthand.
That’s where Worms to Wine comes in.
Starting in the Spring I will begin personally taking small groups of folks through the ultimate tour of the 
Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate. I am hoping my 13 years of experience at the winery, from Cellar Master to Vineyard Biologist to Organic Farmer to Beekeeper and Chicken Feeder, will help me to give folks a genuine understanding of the entire process of making an exceptional wine. The tour will start at our worm bin in the garden and finish on the porch, sipping wine – Worms to Wine (pretty clever, isn’t it?). In between, we will first visit the beehives, organic veggie garden, chickens and sheep. We’ll talk about the soil and the interactions of these entities and their importance in creating a sustainable farming system. After that, we’ll stroll the vineyards to see how these principles of environmental balance are applied to growing grapes. We’ll wander around the lake and check out some really cool birds (and if we’re lucky maybe a fox or bobcat). We’ll take a break in the shade for a sip of wine right next to the vineyard that produced it. We’ll walk through the cellar, chat with Winemaker Mike Brunson, and walk the entire winemaking process from grape to bottle. We’ll finish with some seriously good wine and local cheese while relaxing on the back porch by the bird feeders overlooking the garden. And, finally, we’ll send you home with a re-usable canvas tote bag filled with stuff like organic olive oil, dried herbs and herbal tea from the garden, veggies, seeds, and a very special Worms to Wine T-shirt.
This will not be a lecture and it will not be the least bit boring. My goal for this tour is fun and informal. I’m still working out the details but stay tuned for more info after the New Year. As always, I will be quite busy working in the cellar/vineyard/gardens throughout 2009 so I’m afraid the Worms to Wine tour will be fairly limited in availability. But I am very much looking forward to showing as many of our friends around as possible.
I’m also very interested in any comments you may have so I can plan the very best experience for guests. What most interests you about viticulture and winemaking? What aspects of Michel-Schlumberger would you most like to explore? Who was the 13th President of the United States?
Peace and Worms,
Tony
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This sounds like an amazing time. To be able to walk around and understand precisely where something is created and then experience it there is truly something special. It’s the kind of feeling you get where your food tastes so much better when you plant the seeds, harvest the plant, and cook with food you grew. Obviously you won’t have people out harvesting grapes or mashing with their feet (or will you?), however I think it will be the same rewarding experience all the same. It sounds like something I’d fly from PA to California for once I turn 21 in July.
Hey Glenn — Thanks for the enthusiastic response. I really am hoping/planning that the Worms to Wine will be a very cool and unique thing. As for the grape harvesting and stomping — great idea. I’ll have to ponder the details…
tony