The world feels a bit like doom and gloom these days. For the past two-plus years, it has been one mega headline after another, yet here we are on another Saturday morning, reading my rambling words while you are sipping your coffee. We endure and move forward.

My favorite holiday is the 4th of July. Most people are all about Christmas or their birthday, but the spirit of the 4th is what hits home to me. I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood where everyone shares food, we catch up with one another, the kids run around crazy, and there are some boom booms. Still, most importantly, it is a community coming together as one. People and the connections we share are what life is all about. Even better if you are fortunate to share a glass or two of wine in the process!

Let your heart fill with warmth and kindness as you think of your neighbors, friends, loved ones, and those who tell you to have a good day after getting your cup of coffee, groceries, or whatever it is as we progress through these muddy waters as a nation.

On Thursday, Derek Delgaudio, the guy behind In and Of Itself and the book AMORALMAN, sent a retweet about a new series coming to HBO Max called “The Rehearsal.” The person behind "The Rehearsal" is Nathan Fielder. I had never heard of Nathan and was somewhat intrigued, but I immediately perked up when I saw Alex Hirsch, the mastermind behind Gravity Falls, reply to the tweet, “When we needed him…he returned.” I don’t need to see the trailer or know anything else. I am in.

I don’t have a great segue into events after my Nathan Fieldman ramblings…..

Cork and Barrel are putting together some significant events to help local children and families impacted by abuse with killer winemaker dinners featuring: Anam Cara Cellars, Van Duzer Vineyards, Project M, Stoller Wine Bar, Willamette Valley Vineyard, and Alexana. Check it out and get your tickets before they are gone!

The Tigard Music Festival is happening July 22-24. It is free and open to the public. I saw Willamette Valley Vineyards is pouring wine along with a ton of food options, beer, and of course, music!

I noticed Walla Walla will probably win the best wine region in the US award for the third year in a row. I am super excited for them, but I am shocked that Willamette Valley is currently in 12th place, with Georgia and Texas beating out our WV. I don’t understand.

Mount Pisgah is now officially the Willamette Valley’s 11th AVA. Its influences include the warmth of the Willamette River, minor Van Duzer winds, and a rain shadow of Laurel Mountain. It is also the smallest AVA with 5,530 acres, but one of the densest with 584 under vine.

It is a podcast week, and today I am pleased to announce my conversation with Leah Jorgensen. She runs everything behind the Leah Jorgensen Cellars wine label. She is known for focusing on something a bit different in Oregon Wine, Cab Franc. I first connected with her wines in March 2020 while grabbing one of her bottles off the shelf at Whole Foods.

Her resume is impressive, starting in D.C., coming to Pinot Camp in 2004, working under Drew Voit at Shea, and starting her label. Recently, Paul Gregutt highlighted her 2017 Clos Rogue Valley Reserve Cabernet Franc as one for the cellar. In his note, I adore how he called out, “And yes, it was still tasting great on day three!”

Since 2020, I have wanted to sit down and chat with Leah to learn more about her. With a background in holistic nutrition, there is a constant internal struggle of wine not exactly being the most nutritious substance to consume. I adore Leah's vivacious multi-dimensional spirit. It was completely worth the two-year wait to know more about the person behind the label!

Here is the whole conversation on YouTube and below is an outline of the topics we discussed.

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:30 2015 San Francisco Chronicle winemaker to watch
• 04:22 Between Two Vines YouTube Channel
• 08:00 Making wines at Harper Voit
• 15:05 Struggles of being a holistic nutritionist and a winemaker
• 24:45 Curiosity of Life and Paul Gregutt’s take on reviewing wine
• 33:40 Brene Brown Atlas of the Heart
• 35:03 Brene Brown Gifts of Imperfection, awkward conversations with teenagers and raising children
• 37:20 Legacy
• 46:30 Rapid Fire Questions

The audio versions are also available for Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

After watching or listening to Leah's interview, visit her website to make an appointment to taste her wines and please be sure to tell her, "A.J. sent me!"

With Gratitude,

A.J.