Wine Tasting

On Sunday, we drove up north because one of our old friends was having an open house wine taste event for his new business. He's a winemaker and began a crush business recently, meaning he helps other small wineries create their wines by offering his grape crushing and storage services.

AC and I used to work with Justin at the dot-com way back during the boom. Justin and I were on the same team and we got along really well. During the course of our daily grind, I started the wine conversations with him and next thing you know...he was hooked! We've kept in touch via email with intentions to see each other when time permits...so one day, he wrote that he's giving up his current line of work and going to learn how to make wine. I gave him my encouragement and next thing I know, I get an email that he's working as a winemaker and of all people, he's working for Heidi Barrett!!! She is one of the more famed winemakers in Napa (world?) She's the creator of the super cult wine, "Screaming Eagle". Sorry...got carried away there...

So, since then, Justin's been "chugging" along and bottling wine under his own brand, Lattanzio Family Winery. We're really happy for him, so when the invites went out, we decided to surprise him with a visit. I decided to wear our old dot-com t-shirt. I walked up to him and he just stopped in his track and let out an "Oh My GOD!!!" It was great seeing his expression!  So, we caught up a small bit as the event was getting busy and crowded and lots of people wanted to talk to him. He started to tell people that I was the one that introduced him to wine and subsequently leading him to were he is now where he's doing really well. I couldn't stop laughing at that...(perhaps it was the wines that were making me laugh...don't remember)

Here's AC with my god-sis and her hubby

We tasted a lot of Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, Viognier, Chardonnays and Cabernets. It was AC's first wine tasting in over 5 years (pre-kids). We had a great time and definitely will be seing Justin again...soon!