Part of the joy of wine lies in its remarkable diversity. Glancing at the wine aisle in your local grocery store or wine shop confirms this truth. With over 10,000 wine grape varieties worldwide and more than 100 growing in our region alone, the options seem endless. When you consider the various blends, vineyards, vintages, and countless factors that contribute to unique outcomes, it becomes clear that the 4,800 wineries in California alone likely offer over 60,000 distinct interpretations and expressions of wine grapes at any given time.
Even at our small estate winery, we produce wines from eight different varietals, which are used to create over 12 selections in any vintage. After 19 years in the business, we’ve crafted nearly 200 unique wines, each influenced by barrel selections and the specific weather conditions of the vintage.
I would argue that wine offers more variety to explore than any other product I can think of. This diversity is part of the joy of wine, also reflecting the wide range of tastes we, as consumers, possess. As Kyle often jokes, you don’t go “milk tasting.” While this is partly due to the beautiful settings of wineries, it also underscores how wine invites curiosity and exploration and offers a multitude of options. Everyone’s palate is different, and what appeals to one person may not resonate with another. Wine celebrates these differences, inviting us to savor and appreciate them.
Once a year we gather with a group of friends where wine tasting is a highlight of our time together. I am not referring to the traditional wine tasting room visit, although we enjoy that as well. Each year we pick a specific varietal, a region, or even a price point of wine and we all bring a bottle to share. Then we taste through the shared offerings. It isn’t overly serious or complicated. While we do taste with curiosity, taking enough time to notice the sometimes subtle differences of each, ultimately it becomes a matter of personal preference. At the culmination of the tasting, we all choose our favorite and there is rarely a consensus. With wine, personal preferences and differing opinions are welcomed as we all have a different palate.
As we enter a season of gathering, I encourage us all to extend the same curiosity and interest to the people we gather with. People are, after all, among the few things in the world with more complexity and uniqueness than wine. Each of us is shaped by our unique experiences and life circumstances. And while our differences and varying opinions can sometimes be frustrating, it’s essential to remember that they also enrich us as a community. I don’t wish to downplay the impact of current events shaping our nation and the world, but I believe that, at the heart of it all, our most valuable treasures are the relationships we nurture with those around us.
So, at your next get-together, consider bringing a selection of wines. I’m happy to suggest a few! Avoid the hot topics and instead enjoy some conversation around some of the joys of life that are rich in uniqueness, like wine. Invite discussions about their nuances and celebrate their differences. May this beautiful beverage invite a tone of curiosity and grace, creating a genuinely memorable gathering! May we walk away from the time with a heart of gratitude for the people we shared it with! I know we are grateful for you and for the times we have shared with you over our common interest—great wine! Cheers!
