MOM | 2021 Estate Grenache Blanc

I remember when we first decided to plant the Grenache Blanc on
the Estate Vineyard on El Camino Real.
We honestly didn't know very much about the grape, other than my wife, and my mother drank one bottle of it and told us to plant it.

Seriously, just think about that,
1 bottle, one night,
and a declaration.
That is sheer insanity.
But that is how it all started.

Other companies would lament a decision to plant what turned out to be a sizable portion of all the Grenache Blanc that was planted in the United States at the time.
But not us…
My Mother and the Mother of my children drank one bottle, and that was that.
We went to work.
We planted Grenache Blanc.
Again. Insanity.

But here we are…
My Mother and the Mother of my Children were as they seemingly always are in our lives…. Correct.

That first vintage we placed upon our bar a decade ago was named. MOM.
Named in Honor of the Moms in our lives.
Named for the Women that are the calming influence on the madmen in their lives.
Mom is sometimes the only person you can show your true feelings to.
Mom is there to comfort in times of pain.
Mom is there to correct you when you need it.
Mom is there to make you feel special in a world that does its best to take that from you.
Mom has always been there for us.

Mom may seem like an informal, perhaps silly name for a wine.
But, if you have ever met my Mom or the Mother of my Children.
If you have ever seen what happens to the Men in my family around them.
If you have ever seen how their grandchildren look up to them.
If you have ever had a moment where someone reaches out to you, in comfort, understanding, and love…..
That is a MOM.

MOMs surround me.
I have been blessed to call one of the greatest who has ever lived,
MY MOM.
I have been blessed to see my Children loved beyond measure by my Wife and Their Mom.

Now knowing all this, and a Decade Later
- When my Mom and the Mother of my Children -
Drank one Bottle of Grenache Blanc and said, “This is what we like, Plant This.”

It does not seem so insane, after all.
It seems like something a bunch of Mommas Boys would do.

What can you say about the woman who made your heart in her belly? The person who loved you through every little thing you did. Who cheered for you, who was there when you cried, who was there when you needed someone most. She yelled at you when you needed to be yelled at, for whatever reason. Mom is the person who prays that she was sick rather than you. When she said "this hurts me more than it hurts you" really meant it.

Mom was the woman, who out of complete instinct would look into your eyes and put out her hands in a cup and catch your barf as it happened.

That is the definition of love.

To go against every rational thought and put out your hands to catch.

You probably didn't think you would read that when buying wine.

But you know exactly what I am talking about.

Mom is the person running double, triple and quadruple duty. Working, Providing, The Emotional Rock, the Center of the Household. Mom is the glue that holds it all together. Continually giving and making it work...

Maybe your Mom isn't perfect. Perhaps your Mom isn't even close to the person I just described.

But not all Mom's are related by birth. They are the people that sit and listen when no one else will. They are your friends that watch your kids when you need it. The people that pack the extra jacket, and see when you need a hug. Some of the best Mom's I know are younger than me. Some don't even have any kids. But they are by definition MOM.

Now, when you ask me why did you name it MOM?

If you need more of an answer than that...

This wine isn't for you.