President’s Letter

 

In April, 2004 we lost Bob Lamborn, our friend and fellow board member. His memorial service was standing room only, and we left it with a shared appreciation of having known and loved this remarkable man. One existing memorial to him is Barney’s Backyard, our small vineyard behind the St. Helena Public Library. Bob helped create and tend this vineyard, and lived to know that its fruit will go into Larry Turley’s respected “Library Cuvee” and that this year our association will receive a small number of magnums to donate to fundraisers for educational endeavors in St. Helena.

We also honor Bob with the designation for each of the next five years of the “Bob Lamborn Scholar.” These representatives of the tour guide/tasting room aspect of our local wine industry will participate in all our seminars and other events, and advise our board concerning aspects of the collection and activities intended to serve and attract these industry employees.

The Bob Lamborn Scholar for 2004 is Jennifer Rose, most recently with Provenance Vineyards. She was recommended by Craig Root, the organizer of our orientation last fall to the collection at the St. Helena Public Library for tasting room employees. Jennifer has been in touch with the Lamborn family, and thanks us for providing her with “the gift of knowledge.” Welcome, Jennifer!

Cabernet Sauvignon and related varietals reign supreme in August. We are pleased that over fifty of you have taken advantage of our first-ever lodging arrangement with Silverado Country Club for our seminar/tasting weekend.

We have invited association member H. Vincent Mueller, a wine historian and label collector who conducts extensive research in our collection, to host an information table at the annual tasting. Vincent’s goal is to display a file for each of the wineries pouring at the tasting. Stop by and introduce yourself and marvel at the fruits of truly dedicated collecting.

Before our field seminar in October (an early sell-out) the association will gather again, this time to honor the publication by the Wine Librarians’ Association of The Brady Book: Selections from Roy Brady’s Unpublished Writings on Wine. We think that for those of you who knew them and their work this handsome volume will recall Paco Gould and Jim Beard, for both its content and its craftsmanship. Stay tuned for a full book report and an invitation to our reception to celebrate its publication!

Julie Dickson, President