Well it is crush. It snuck up on me really fast. Crush brings with it everything you might imagine: excitement, uncontrolled adrenaline, amazing smells and sounds and tastes. There is a camaraderie of mostly guys and some amazing women who are thrown together for one purpose - to make the best wine they can. We all want to make something you can enjoy - something we can be proud of and something better than the winemakers who are competing for shelf space against us. We are all in the same game. We will help each other. But, we also expect that we will make better wine than our buddy’s wine. So there is dread, exhaustion and long nights on the road as well.

I wonder sometimes if all these feelings are similar to those of being a Big League pitcher. You are at the top of your game so there is no excuse that you are still learning. Maybe you are not quite ready to begin the season. Your arm is a little sore. Your mind hasn’t quite caught up with the task at hand, and no matter how good your last pitch was you are going to be judged on the pitch you are about to throw. It wouldn’t be bad to be sitting in the stands, enjoying the excitement of the fans, closing your eyes and feeling the sun on your face, eating a hot dog with a nice glass of Pinot Noir. But, it is not being in the game. There is something so special about that. It is impossible to describe the feeling. I imagine it would be like being on the mound with your teammates around you. The ball is in your hand, and the game doesn’t begin until you throw. I am so lucky to do what I do.

I’ve been thinking about Baseball because in the June 22, 2009 Sports Illustrated “Pop Culture Grid”, Colorado Rockies All-Star pitcher Jason Marquis is asked to complete the statement “Other players envy my…..” His response: “Wine. I drink good wine.” I was honored to learn that the previous week we had shipped a case of Row Eleven Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to Jason. Jason is a class guy. Nina asked if we could mention him in one of our blogs. He didn’t hesitate to give us permission. Thanks Jason.