Some wise person once said, “the only thing that never changes, is that everything changes”. Another one said that, “variety is the spice of life”. Clichés are often clichés for a reason and I find no exception in these two broad assertions.
The tasting room of a winery is like a living organism. The pulse of this vessel can vary; from the vibrant and celebratory, to the cerebral and intimate in a matter of moments. It is part of the job, for the conscientious host, to gauge what every person desires out of their individual experience. We, then, try to deliver. We delight in talking to the people who come through our doors. We enjoy being the fly on the wall during your intimate moments. Tasting, at its best, is a physically and socially stimulating experience.
Those of us who share them with you, hope that you enjoy these unfettered moments as much as we do. Some of you leave no doubt of its truth.
We have been blessed with a lot of wonderful staff in our tasting room. So, It is with the regret of selling out of a much-beloved production of wine and the hopeful anticipation of future harvests, that we will bid adieu to two of our number this month.
Sara- Our resident teacher of high-school engineering and architecture will be wed and promptly whisked away to a dreamy farm in Tennessee. There she hopes to pursue; teaching, natural farming, banjo picking, sheep shearing, moonshining, and (presumably) wine-drinking.
Stacey- Our ambassador for the arts, will be adding another job to her already extensive resume. She has accepted a position in the University of Texas system. You can always go and visit her at the Blanton Museum of Art and hear about her ghostly encounters in the French legation museum. She, too, will continue to drink wine.
It is in the nature of many wine drinkers to enjoy change. To smell/see/taste the subtle nuances. We detect it, analyze it, and then decide whether or not we find it enjoyable. In that vein, we look forward to introducing the new members of our team, and sending some shout-outs from our “old hands” as well. Variety is, after all, the spice of life.
See you in the tasting room!
Author: Carrie Conwill, Bell Springs Winery, Tasting Room Manager