... for at least a week ... or so ...

I know davidn and Kimberly have posted in the pre-event thread, but this weekend's Camp Pisoni deserves its own note here. Just an incredible weekend ! My wife and I drank more pinot the last few days than we have in the last few years ... and we drink a fair amount of Pinot Noir !

The weekend started innocently enough, with the winemaker dinner on Friday evening. We arrived at the Inn of the Pinnacles at the scheduled time, only to find a table of mostly empty bottles. I know Brian posted about a pre-dinner tasting, but I didn't pay enough attention, so we were one of the last to get there. I did get a chance to try a barrel sample of AP Vin's '03 Garys', which was really nice (note to self - get on the mailing list) as well as a few other wines, including a '97 Chevalier Montrachet from magnum (although I didn't note the producer).

The dinner was mostly excellent, especially considering it was catered by a restaurant located some distance away. The wine pairings were fun - the one that sticks in my (severly handicapped) mind is the '02 Rosella's Pinots from August West and Loring. Both wines were great, but the difference between the two was amazing. The August West was bright fruit and finesse, while the Loring was deep, rich and powerful. Their common heritage was evident on the nose, but disappeared on the palate. I recall these were different clones, but these had to show the winemaker's hand.

Saturday began with tours of Rosella's and Garys' with Gary Franscioni, concluding in a glass (or two or three) of Novy Rosella's chardonnay in Gary's new celllar. Then it was off to Pisoni's for a lunch of grilled homemade veinson and pork sausage, chicken, asparagus, beans, and a great selection of fruits and cheeses. Oh yeah, there were about 200 bottles of wine, too. Pinots and Syrahs from Garys', Rosella's and Pisoni vineyards from several vintages by Loring, ROAR, Siduri, Testarossa, Vision and many others. Lots of other pinots from Dehlinger, Martinelli, Melville, Merry Edwards and a very small taste of Marcassin. Digging through the ice buckets showed some '02 Aubert Ritchie (??). At lunch, we sat with davidn, who brought an assortment of Sine Qua Non, including the Albino, In Flagrante and Midnight Oil, which I tried, and a #6, which I didn't ...

After a brief nap, we headed back up to the Inn for some light "finger food", and you guessed it, more pinot. The wines were all so excellent, and plentiful, that only the wierd ones stuck in my mind, such as the Bonny Doon "dessert" syrah, 7.5 % alcohol and 10% residual sugar. At least, it went well with the rich chocolate brownies.

We had to leave Soledad at 6am this morning to get my wife to the airport and back to Houston, so we missed today's events. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic few days. It was great meeting many fine folks, and especailly those behind the wines we have enjoyed the past few years. Thanks to Brian, the Brousseaus, the Garys and all the others who organized this great event ! We look forward to Camp Pisoni IV !

Scott

scott, It was great meeting you and your lovely wife... and what a weekend it was.

A couple of highlights other than the wine.

Friday night after dinner just before midnight several of us (the stragglers) were out on the front deck discussing Champagne. We of course were all perfectly since we had been spitting all night (if you believe that I have this bridge I would like to talk to you about) and the conversation eventually led to "opening a Champagne bottle". The word "sabre" comes up so Howard Graham (partner in August West) says to me, "Come on David. I'll teach you how to sabre a bottle of Champagne". We find this long knife and he proceeds to take a couple of whacks at it. Nothing happens; no sparks, no nothing. So he goes at it somewhat harder. Well, crack, off come the top of the Champagne bottle. Success! Sucess? Oh oh. After the explosion of Champagne all over everyone we see that Howard only has the bottom quarter of the bottle with some rather nasty glass edges protruding. The bottle had exploded. Howard was soaked! There was no way he was going to be able to drive home with his shirt soaked in Champagne. Well, Kimberley to the rescue. I hope we have photos ot this; The honorable Mr. Graham of Augest West wearing a purple Polo shirt with "Loring Wine Company" imblazened across the front. (Now that too would make a good label for one of the LWC 2005 Pinots.

What you missed this morning Jim... A great tour of the entire Brosseau Vineyard. Ho-hum you say? Just picture this: Everyone (slightly hung) from the night before jumping on an All-Terrain-Vehicle and trying to do wheelies through the vineyard. Well, maybe it wasn't that bad, but me, driving an ATV, up and down the hills and vines not having the slightest idea how to make the thing stop. I can't print the words here to describe it. Besides, I know, that most of you wouldn't believe it anyway. Beautiful and bizaar is all you need to know.


This weekend will live in my mind forever. Great wines sure but the absolute best thing are all the great people. I know it sounds trite but this is what life is all about; Living this excitement that are parts of your wildest dreams.

Thanks to all the Loring gang. Thanks to the Brosseau's for putting the lodging and food together. Thanks to Gary and Rose Franscioni for being such wonderful hosts welcoming us all into the home. Thanks to Mark, Jeff, and Gary Pisoni for an absolute blast. Thanks to Elias, Gary P's top hand for organizing the gang with some of the best chicken I have ever eaten. Thanks to all the growers and vintners for bringing their wines for us to (uh) enjoy. And thanks to Mama Pisoni for a fantastic salad dressing and wonderful cookies (but I did miss your maranara sauce Mama).

Just one problem Mr. Pisoni... Yes... I mean you Gary... Spell it afer me: C-I-G-A-R.

david, you spell "cigar" very well. Now if only you could spell "after."

board o,

You try saying "after" with a cigar in your mouth .

I stand by "afer"!

Scott! Great meeting you and glad you made it back in one piece! I'm sure you had doubts along the way!

See you at #4!!!

wha wha what!! no cigars!?!

Glad to hear y'all had an awesome time, as I knew everyone would. Even though we were in a most beautiful place on Saturday I kept wishing I could have joined you. There's always next year

No cigars . We weren't even sure that Gary was going to make it. When he got there he took one look at me and burst in to tears (literally). "The cigars are at the house. I'll go get them." "Don't worry Gary, we'll have a chance to smoke a couple together soon." I told him.

Quote:

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wha wha what!! no cigars!?!

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I GOT 'GARS!

Gary the P stopped by this afternoon just to bring me some cigars.

All smuggled out of Cuba in his underware; I can hardly wait to light one up

Consumed uno bottle In Flagrante and I have to stand up and run a tasting tonight.
At least I'm in the mood.

Ummmm ........ buddy, amigo, oh grand pobah

Wha, wha, what !?! rasberries to you !