If you remember the newsletter I sent out in March, I mentioned the format was changing a little. Well, skipping a month wasn't exactly what I had in mind, and I hope that is not a trend I keep doing.

Life is fun and jammed packed. I am pushing forward with all sorts of functionality constantly being added to Block 55. I am now in 13 different states and growing! The newsletter does suffer, and it kills me. I enjoy writing these so very much!

Let's dive into it shall we?

Family, we all know how important family is. For me, visiting wineries and catching up with people in the industry feels like a natural extension of family. I think it was back in January when the news dropped about Hans no longer being the winemaker at Dusky Goose. I am pretty sure I let out an audible NO. Hans is one heck of a human and the wine he makes is incredible. His wife, Kate, is the winemaker for Penner-Ash.

Back in February, I decided to visit Dusky Goose as a little birthday gift to myself. I went through the normal reservation process. I was looking to sit there take in the space, and enjoy some lovely wine. The last time I visited was the end of 2020. Way too long in between visits.

Anyway, I show up and of course everyone knows me and there were some lovely conversations as always. During one conversation, I had to ask about Hans. He is currently selling barrels, but stops by the tasting room all the time. He will be at some of the dinners they are doing, and it's almost like he hasn't left. The reason for leaving Dusky was he and Kate have two kids. Harvest time with two winemakers is extremely difficult.

Like I said earlier, family is this incredibly important aspect of our lives.

If that isn't enough family for you let me gush on a little more. Way back when, I went out to visit Danny and Susan at Lonesome Rock. I still remember to this day why I wanted to visit. Corollary produced a single vineyard Sparkling from the Lonesome Rock vineyard and I just had to explore.

When I showed up for my visit, Danny took me all around the vineyard in his gator. His dog followed along chasing the thrown ball. After running around the vineyard I had the opportunity to taste the wine. I was off in my own little world thinking about what I was tasting. Then all of a sudden I remembered I should give feedback. I don't remember my exact words, but it was something along the lines of, "Wow, this is incredible!" The next words that came from Danny was something like, "Don't hold back, tell me the truth." There was nothing to hold back it was some seriously good juice.

Over the years I have gotten to know Danny and Susan. At a wine event at the coast in Neskowin, Danny handed me a bottle of their Pinot and told me, "Open this bottle with me in 10 years." We happened to be traveling for the Olympics a couple summers ago in Paris and had dinner together. Their daughter Julia helped me with a project for Block 55. Last month, Danny sent a text asking if I would like to come to their pickup party. How in the whole wide world of sports could I say no?

I was always curious about events at Lonesome Rock, and I knew Danny goes all out for food, but I wasn't ready for what was in store for me.

Have you seen the movie GoodFellas? If so, do you remember the scene where Henry Hill took his soon to be wife Karen through the kitchen and crowds to have the restaurant place a special table up in front by the stage? When I walked up to the house, Danny swept me away, paired me up with a member of his family (I am pretty sure it was a cousin, and sorry Danny if I messed this up!) from California and I was immediately taken care of. I didn't know it at the time, but I was being brought into the inner family circle.

Over the next few hours, I had an amazing conversation with Danny's cousin, had some incredible food and the wine oh my freaking gawd! You know I am always all about finding special wine that nobody is aware of. This is it right here! The Chardonnay, the Pinot, the Aligote are all incredible and everyone needs to know about these wines!

Take a look at the food!

Let's get back to the family topic for a minute. I don't know how many people from Danny's family was there to help out with this event. The chefs were even family. There had to be at least 10 family members I kid you not! Towards the end of the event family members starting come out to sit down. I moved out of the sun and Susan introduced me to her grand daughter. I was part of the family. It felt amazing!

I of course had to come home with some wine. While I was paying for it somehow a family member knew what I ordered and poof it magically appeared out of nowhere. That same member was pretty much given instructions to carry my order out to the car. I offered to carry it on my own, but I was denied.

Danny was closing up the gate as I drove away. What a day! What a memory! You need to seriously go out and visit. You will not be disappointed and if you tell them, "A.J. sent me" you too will be part of the family!

With Gratitude,

A.J.

PS - If you or if you know a winery that is using Tock. We should talk!

PPS - Method Oregon will be here soon! Get your tickets ASAP, tickets are selling out fast!!!