President's Letter

 

One of the particular pleasures of the October 3 reception honoring The Brady Book (described in this issue) was our opportunity to relax and exchange notes with our counterparts in Sonoma County. Most of our routine contacts are within Napa County and particularly the wine country. This was a chance to celebrate with other people who have dedicated themselves to wine history and lore from throughout the state. I was privileged to know many of our association’s founders, and believe that it was an occasion they would have relished, and that they would have treasured The Brady Book not only for its beauty, but also for the wit and wisdom of the inimitable Roy Brady. To obtain your own copy contact Nomis Press in Santa Rosa, (707) 546-1184 or nomis@ips.net.

We are excited that we have begun to place our small supply of magnums of “Barney’s Backyard” Petite Syrah produced by Turley Wine Cellars with local organizations raising money for education. We have been asked to let you know which “gala events” - the efforts of local families with wine industry connections result in very enjoyable occasions - will offer “Barney’s Backyard” magnums. Look for an insert with your 2005 membership renewal notice for the dates of these fundraisers.

We will soon name our Bob Lamborn Scholar for 2005. Our 2004 Scholar, Jennifer Rose, has been a great help to us all year and will continue as a valuable member of our behindthe-scenes team. The Bob Lamborn Scholars designated each year through 2008 will advise us in serving and attracting tour guides and tasting room employees. The late spring will bring release of the second edition of “our” book, Napa Wine - A History by the renowned Charles L. Sullivan. Our association sponsored the book “In Memory of Jim Beard”, one of our founders, and all of us involved have been delighted with its success since first published in 1994. Charles has now revised it and rewritten the last chapter to bring us up to date. Look for a date certain for the appearance of the new edition and an announcement of our plans to commemorate it.

Julie Dickson, President