Every week I start off with some sort of rambling, and this week is no different. It’s December. I seriously didn’t think we would still be in lockdown this deep into the year. Next month is 2021. I can’t even process that data yet. Can you? Once I swallow the “2020 Is Over” pill, I will be looking forward to the two weeks in February, where it is absolutely gorgeous while teasing us for the upcoming Spring.

Sorry, but only a little bit for talking about Dave Grohl again. A couple of weeks back, I came across Nandi Bushell, who does drum covers on YouTube. She called out Dave Grohl on an EPIC Drum Battle. So cute, good, and inspiring to see. Dave accepted the battle with multiple rounds, and Dave even created an original song for Nandi and here is Nandi’s response. Yet another reason why I adore Dave Growl. Take a few minutes to watch the videos and bring a smile to your face!

I ran across a few sentences in Seth Godin’s “The Practice” book this week. It made me stop for a few minutes and reflect.

If you want to change your story, change your actions first. When we choose to act a certain way, our mind can’t help but rework our narrative to make those actions become coherent.

We become what we do.

The last sentence, “We become what we do,” got to me and reminded me of Janis’s story a little from Arlyn. For 20+ years, Janis worked for Walt Disney in Risk Management. A rare treat for her was being home while the sun was out to enjoy a run from Venice to Malibu along the Santa Monica waterfront. One night, while Janis was having dinner with a dear friend, a challenge was asked to what she wanted out of life and go after it. Going back to her roots, Janis ultimately decided to create Arlyn, the farm, the vineyard, and the wine label I adore way more than Dave Grohl conceding to Nandi Bushell. Why you might ask. Well, do you have time for a solid two thousand-word newsletter to share my experience? Good! Sit back, relax and sip on your Saturday morning coffee while I tell you about Janis, Arlyn, and yes, of course, Miss Cooper! I know, I know, I know, who in the heck is Miss Cooper. How dareth I introduce yet another name into the story without some background. Patience, my Dear Watson! Let’s start at the beginning.

Wait, stop the presses for a bloody minute. I was DM’ing WestCoastWineGuy on Insta. What was the winery he was talking about? No way!! He is talking about Arlyn as well. How is this possible? I don’t understand why I am just now researching this wine label at the same of this conversation. Fine, I get it. Thank you, Universe! The following week I am visiting Arlyn, no questions asked, and no, it is not getting added to the list. It trumps everything else on the list.

I sent an email to Janis getting my reservation in place, and I have to do a little research in preparation before I visit. The story gets better. I dive the teeniest bit deeper and find out that Thomas Savre is the winemaker and Kimberly Abrahams is the Assistant Winemaker. In case you don’t know, Thomas is freaking incredible with the wines he produces for Lingua Franca. I was fortunate beyond belief to attend a Champagne blind tasting with him back in January. I can’t thank you enough, Jason and Amy, enough for the invite! Thomas is an incredibly humble soul, and recently is a new dad. Kimberly used to work at Domaine Serene. I have to admit I don’t know much about her, but in my book, doing time at Domaine Serene speaks volumes.

A couple of days before Halloween, I drove out to visit Janis. Slowing going down the gravel driveway, there were strings of lights on both sides of me. I could envision a summer night’s dinner under the stars in this wide-open space before me. The lights beaconing my way home three hours later after an amazing dinner with friends.

I found a place to park, and Janis was waving at me while two dogs (Cooper and Lucky) were trained to sit atop two half wine barrels. I got out of my car, and they didn’t move an inch until told otherwise. Janis approached me in the rare, wonderful late October sun in overalls and the biggest smile a person could adorn upon her face. Immediately, I knew I was in for a tasting I would never forget.

Next up was the 2018 Lionne Chardonnay. Again, so very pleasant, but what I really enjoyed about the Chardonnay was how it slightly crept up on you mid-palate, introduced itself, and left, making you wonder what in the world just occurred. The term Lionne is French for worldly woman, and that is what occurred. I needed another sip to get reacquainted. In all seriousness, this Chard was great and will be magnificent as it ages.

Disclaimer on the Pinots, I don’t have notes on them yet. Sitting there talking with Janis while enjoying the wine, the cheese, the breeze, and the sun was exactly what my soul needed. I kind of get into “work” mode when I do tastings. I turned off work mode to simply enjoy.

Next up was the 2018 Simple Math. Janis told me she likes to write the names of wines on post-it notes, stick them on her cupboards and live with them for a while before deciding on a name. The labels came from Maggie Harrison’s (the winemaker at Antica Terra) husband and is a topographical map of the property. Every time Janis sees Maggie, there is a check in to ensure Janis has everything she needs.

The 2018 State of Grace was the next pour. It replaces the 2017 Running with Scissors. Both of these pours were exceptional, and I loved the effect of how these wines opened up like a flower mid-palate.

Overall, Janis has 40 acres of land, with 20 of those acres planted. Stirling Fox of Mad Violets planted vines in 12, 13, and 14. Janis also mentioned how there is a quilt in the Tiny Taster at Mad Violets. Janis and her mom Arlyn made this quilt. When I visited Mad Violets earlier this year, I got a picture of the quilt and didn’t realize there was a story. I must dive deeper to get the nitty-gritty details!

The final pour was the 2018 State of Grace and again solid as all get out.

Sitting there chatting with Janis, the sounds of ducks would fade in and out. It was awesome to hear, and Janis told me she has runner ducks to help in the vineyard. She has trained them to go through the vineyard and eat slugs on the underbrush. Woah! This was the first I had heard of this, and then she got up, walked towards the ducks to guide them where she wanted them to go. The ducks were so freakin cute. I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear.

Since we are talking ducks, we have to move to the other animals. I already mentioned Cooper and Lucky. Miss Copper is the mini Australian Shepherd that is the brains behind the organization. From what I hear, she has to keep Janis on task all the time! I have to admit, the people pleaser in me would do anything for this dog. She is oozing with cuteness. Also on the farm are pigs and sheep. Since I was there, Janis got a llama whose name is Blazing Pistols to help with the sheep.

Outside of those animals, Janis has embryos of Valais Blacknose sheep from Switzerland. They are the first embryos of this breed in the US. She should know the status of the embryos come February or March. Aren’t they simply gushing over the rim with cuteness? It’s too much cuteness, and I must move on to another topic.

Getting back to wine. In 2019 another Pinot will be added to the lineup called Equal Play. A portion of the proceeds will go to help promote diversity and inclusion. Two Chards will also be added called Wit and Logic along with All the Darlings.

In November, we had Janis on #ajsHappyHour meetup. I met up with a few people to get their hands on the wine before the call. Other people made an appointment for a tasting. Those who had bottles gushed over the wines multiple times. A couple of weeks back, I got an email announcing Cooper’s Lot Membership is now open. I am going to have to look at my memberships and do some shuffling around. Here are the reasons I am adding Arlyn to my list of memberships. The farm is relatively close to my house. It is a gorgeous property, and when we can have social dinners again, this will be an amazing place for a winery dinner. Janis is fantastic. Thomas, the winemaker, makes amazing wines and is a wonderful human being. Miss Cooper stole my heart. To top it all off, the attention to detail Janis puts into everything blows me away.

I have been doing this newsletter for a while now, and there has been one time where I asked you to look at an amazing vertical from Ridge Crest. Today I have another ask. I want to meet you at the next release party in the Spring. I will be there. Let’s toast over some great wine, spectacular views, and the fact life is getting back to a sense of normalcy. I am going to leave a link for membership right here. If you remember, a few weeks back, I mentioned you needed to stock up on some wine for your Christmas stocking. Get your hands on Running with Scissors before it is gone.

When I left Arlyn, I didn’t want to get back to reality one bit. I felt bad about not finishing the charcuterie board. Everything that is representative of Oregon is present at Arlyn. People talk about how kind and generous everyone is in the South.

(Insert sassy voice) Honey, let me tell you something! Janis has everyone in the South beat, hands down! (End sassy voice)

When you visit, and I know you will, I would greatly appreciate you saying hi to Miss Cooper and let her know “A.J. sent you.”

With Gratitude,

A.J.

PS - Secret Santa #ajsHappyHour is on Tuesday! Everyone has their wine, and we are all set. This will be a blast!

PPS - Ryan Reynolds is doing some great work. You have to check out how Satan hooked up with 2020, and then the backstory in true When Harry Met Sally style.

PPPS - Who wants a steak?