"A Bird Story" by Tony Wasowicz

A couple of weeks ago I was walking my Whippets (Devo & Jimi) around the neighborhood when we were suddenly stopped in our tracks by the sight and sound of around a dozen extremely agitated crows in the trees above us, staring down at us and squawking wildly. Crows are quite common in this neck of the woods (northern California) but I’d never seen them make such a commotion. After stopping and standing and staring back at them a minute or two we moved on. But a few steps later both dogs and I jumped back as a small, but furious, crow hissed and snapped at us from behind a small shrub along the sidewalk.

We backed away and crossed the street and continued our stroll. It was a classically beautiful Sonoma County evening – the fog was rolling in and you could smell the sea -- but I found that I had lost all appreciation for it. I kept thinking about that bird. I knew that the crow was injured and I knew it wouldn’t be long before a cat came along and discovered an easy meal. It was very tempting to try to forget the whole incident and get on with my busy day but I simply could not. I turned and walked the dogs quickly back home.

Not knowing exactly where to turn I leafed through the phone book until I found the answer – Bird Rescue Center. Perfect, I thought. I felt a bit smug as I dialed the number. I was taking the time to help an injured animal. I was going out of my way to do the right thing.

The lady at Bird Rescue was both pleasant but business-like. I described the situation and she immediately diagnosed it as a fledgling crow that likely wasn’t so successful on its first flight from the nest. But then she surprised me.

“Can you secure the bird?” she asked.

“What?” I said. “Ummm, well… I found it on a walk. It’s several miles away.”

“You need to get a pillow case and carefully secure the bird and bring it to us.” She responded.

I have to admit that I was taken aback. I guess I expected a hearty “Thanks!” and assurance that a bird expert would be dispatched immediately to get the bird, nurse it back to health and release it happily back to the wilds. It seems like that’s how it works in the movies, anyway.

I think the lady sensed my disappointment. “I’m sorry. We have very few volunteers.” she told me. This, of course, makes perfect sense. Who in the world has the time and energy and desire to drop everything at a moment’s notice, drive around picking injured birds up off the sidewalk and nurse them back to health for a few weeks? And do it for free?

So I found an old pillow case and hopped in my truck and secured the bird. Then I drove it out to the Santa Rosa Bird Rescue Center. Wow – what a cool place! It’s a small operation with a very homey feel to it. Inside there’s some fun and informative displays on various local birds. Out back there are numerous large cages filled with recovering and resident hawks, owls, vultures and a sleek and shiny peregrine falcon. The fledgling crow I dropped off was deposited in a cage with other crows in a similar predicament. They would be hand fed several times a day and released when able to fly.

I went back to the Center the next week for an open house and met many of the volunteers. I filled out a membership card and wrote them a check. And now I’m hoping to help organize a fundraiser in the fall. Now, I’m not writing this to congratulate myself. Like everyone, I’ve used the excuse of too busy, too tired, too broke many, many times. In my case it took a wounded little bird on the sidewalk to remind me that there’s a lot more to life than work and bills and my next vacation.

So what does this blog have to do with winemaking and vineyards? Well, look at it this way – think of how much more amazing that first sip of wine is going to taste at the end of the day if you’ve tried your best to help others and be a good person.

Cheers!

Tony


P.S. I had a bottle of the 2006 Cru Vin Dogs Chardonnay last night. It was KILLER!

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Cru Vin Bugs

I’m a huge fan of bugs. I find them extremely cool in both appearance and behavior. They live pretty much everywhere and outnumber us humans by some astronomical factor. And, most important to me, they’re environmental indicators – they tell us about the health and balance of the world we live in. But what do bugs have to do with making great wine?

A lot.
(Honey bee foraging on a mustard flower. This picture involved a little camera and a lot of luck.)


(Right:Chardonnay shoot among flowering cover crop.)

Insects have co-evolved with plants for millions of years. It’s simple -- without bugs there can be no grapevines. And the vineyard manager can choose to either fight insects, ignore them, or work with them. Sadly, most vineyards are not bug friendly. And ironically, it’s when we try to “clean the slate” and eliminate bugs from the system that problems quickly arise.



Conventionally farmed vineyards are continually tilled, compacting and destroying soil life and exacerbating erosion. Furthermore, the application of caustic chemical pesticides and herbicides kills all bugs, good and bad (you won’t find many bugs of any kind in a conventional vineyard). And since the very first invaders to a sterile system are always weeds and pests then it’s pretty easy to see the folly in this hyper-management approach to farming. Obviously, I’m a huge fan of organic and sustainable farming.

The amazing west Dry Creek Valley vineyard where I source much of the fruit for Cru Vin Dogs wine is farmed organically. In place of tractors and salty fertilizers is a herd of English babydoll sheep, which convert the weeds and grasses to fertilizer, naturally. Instead of spraying Roundup herbicide we encourage and foster a healthy ground cover to provide food and habitat to the ladybugs, soldier beetles, lacewings and syrphid flies that naturally feed on any grapevine pests before they can get established. This vineyard is never sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. There’s simply no need. This is not only a very good thing for the environment but also a very good thing for wine lovers – happy vines produce great grapes which make outstanding wines.


So I encourage everyone to give bugs a little respect. After all, we cannot exist without them. But just to prove I’m not completely bug-obsessed I’d like to close this blog with a couple of pictures I took recently of warm and furry mammals. Keep drinking great wine!

---Tony

(Left:Betty and Mowgli -- very happy vineyard dogs.)



















(Right:This lamb was born just hours
before I took it's picture. Seriously cute.)




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"Jasmine, the Mother Theresa Greyhound"

Hello Readers,
One of the benefits that have come from hosting this blog is that I get to hear so many great stories about animals. I'm a total sucker for them and I've loved every one. I also enjoy getting to share them with all of you. Who couldn't use beautiful stories like these?

I received one recently that is particularly moving. It's about a Greyhound named Jasmine, who was found in 2003, in Warwickshire, England, in need of help and shelter. She then took to mothering all the animals in the shelter, giving them comfort and love, regardless of their species. If you love animals, you simply HAVE to read it.

Check it out at:
http://www.greatpetnet.com/630/jasmine-the-mother-theresa-greyhound/#more-630

She and other animals from the shelter, such as a parrot named Barney with a foul vocabulary, have attracted some great press for the shelter. Animal shelters can never have enough support and recognition.












I'll also take this opportunity to recommend a book I just finished, (no doubt, most of you have already heard of it), "Marley & Me", by John Grogan. I've heard the movie is cute, but varies, and you can't beat the full experience of reading the novel films are based off of.

It's a beautiful book about life and love as a pet owner and it takes you through the life of Marley and all the changes the family goes through in his lifetime. From Marley's puppy-hood to life as an elderly dog, John keeps you laughing, and certainly crying. I don't recommend finishing the book on a plane, (especially in the window seat without Kleenex like I did. I was a blubbering mess with Southwest cocktail napkins in a pile on my tray table). But the tears are worth it and it's proved to be a great catharsis for many others who have read it and have also lost their beloved furry family members. See the website for the online community of fans who have found comfort in the book and each other at http://www.johngroganbooks.com/marley/share/index.cgi

All the best to all of you out there, bipedal and quadrupedal alike, and keep the stories coming!
Kristin

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Tony's "Bud Break and Blending"

I get asked a lot – “What is your favorite vintage?”

My answer is always the same – “The next one.”

I certainly love and enjoy every wine I make from every vintage but I must admit that my focus is always on what’s ahead. Especially this time of the season. With longer and sunnier days of early Spring comes bud break in the vineyard. The bare, dormant vines have weathered the cold, dark, wet winter and now the green shoots are just starting to burst from the swollen buds. It’s hard not to see this event as the very birth of the 2009 vintage wines. Soon there will be a heck of a lotta work to do in the vineyard – mowing and suckering and keeping tabs on the multitude of beneficial insects that inhabit the vineyard cover crop. But until then there’s plenty of work to do in the Cellar. Early spring is blending season in the winery. So rather than wandering the vineyard I’ve been spending most of the time wandering the Cellar, tasting through wine lot after lot, barrel after barrel.

(Left: Bud break on a chardonnay vine.)

A great blend is a great thing. And whereas the goal of our Best In Show series is to showcase the terroir of an individual great vineyard, the Cru Vin Dogs Portrait and Puppy series wines are crafted to highlight the very best features of carefully selected fruit from my favorite vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties. The key to a great blend, I think, is familiarity with the grapes. I’ve worked with some of the vineyards used to source Cru Vin Dogs wines for as long as 13 years. So although the flavors, aromas and textures of individual lots of wine in barrel may evolve month to month, I have a pretty good idea of where each wine is headed and what it can contribute to the final blend.

(Right: Dry Creek Valley on the western edge of Sonoma County. One of the most beautiful wine growing regions on earth.)

Once I’ve selected the components for a blend it’s time to focus on the composition. I spend a lot of time with a table full of sample bottles and a graduated cylinder -- tasting, tasting, tasting (I know – it’s tough work but that’s my job!). Blending, for me, is kind of a Zen thing. I don’t pay much attention to the lab numbers from the Enologist. I also don’t rely on standard “recipes” or try to follow what others have done. I do have a very specific idea of the style of wine I want – wines of balance, character, finesse and age-ability.

Eventually, I’ll narrow the huge field down to just a few favorites. This is actually fairly easy for me – either a blend “clicks” or it doesn’t. I try not to over-think it. And once I’m happy with a blend I always look for fresh opinions from trusted sources. I’ve got a lot of good friends with some of the finest palates in the business – Winemakers, growers, sommeliers, and, of course, the entire Cru Vin Dogs team.

In the end, the final blend sent to bottle is the product of years of very hard work by countless people. My goal is to justify all that time and effort with the creation of something really special in every wine I make. Ultimately, the wine must befit such a label as Cru Vin Dogs. It’s gotta be good. Really, really good. And I think it is.

-Tony

(Left: The grapes for the Cru Vin Dogs 2005 Bloodhound and 2006 Golden Retriever chardonnay came largely from this hillside vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. This vineyard is planted with strips of insectary flowers between the rows. These plants provide food and habitat for beneficial insects which provide natural pest control. Organically farmed, this vineyard is never sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.)

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DOG OF THE MONTH for MARCH

Greetings Readers,

The Dog of the Month for March is a special pup who found a new home with some loving parents in The State of Qatar, far from our shores, near Saudi Arabia. Dog lovers unite! Homes for homeless pets are needed all over the world. Similar to the case of March's Dog of the Month, Jacob, some of those homeless animals are victims of abuse or trauma and have special needs. Very large and selfless are the hearts of those who are willing to open their homes to these special needs pets.

In honor of Jacob and his journey, as well as the loving parents who have given him a home, here is March's DOG OF THE MONTH, Enjoy!

"We have a new family member. His name is Jacob and he has blonde hair, brown eyes and four legs. We don’t know a lot about him – how old he is, where he came from or if he’s ever lived with a family before. The only thing we know is that he’s been in our house for less than 24 hours and he’s already part of the family. Truthfully, I think he became family about 30 seconds after we put him in the truck and he drooled all over my arm and the back of the seat. Yes – Jacob is a dog.
As far as anyone knows, his history started a few weeks ago when he was found, horribly hurt, and then taken to the Qatar Animal Welfare Shelter (QAWS) for care. They don’t know exactly what happened to him, but they think he was hit and then dragged by a car.

We met Jacob when we went to QAWS to take a tour to see the dogs and find out how we could best help as volunteers. At that time, he was pretty sad looking with a “lampshade” around his head to keep him from chewing and licking his wounds. Regardless, he came up to the front of his kennel and tried to lick our fingers through the mesh. Once, like the goof he is, he got stuck in the doorway of his kennel because he couldn’t get his head through! But he kept smiling that doggie smile and wagging his tail.I just kept thinking about him and when QAWS put his story on their website, I knew we needed to find out what it would take to bring him home with us. The QAWS staff had received many calls about Jacob in the 48 hours since they posted the feature. I think a couple of things weighed in our favor for adopting Jacob – we were previous dog owners and had seen both of ours through several surgeries. We weren’t put off or scared that he’d been hurt and would never be a physically perfect dog. But what I think clenched it is that we’d looked at all the dogs and had a hard deciding on the first one that we wanted to adopt. Most people who called only wanted Jacob because he’s at least part Retriever. No doubt, Labs are my favorite dogs, but we would have probably taken half a dozen if we thought we could…So Jacob’s at home now acting as though he’s been here all his life. As I write this, he’s lying here on the office floor with his head on his sock toy –guarding his precious possession. In a little less than a day, he’s played outfielder in our son’s backyard baseball game, tipped over his water bowl outside and in the guest bathroom, pooped on the office floor, been given his first of many baths, tried to make friends with the neighbor’s cat, feasted on his food, taken a short walk around the compound, chewed on one of my sandals, tipped over my husband’s drink on the front porch and taken off with the book I’m reading.

We’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a baby in the house, but we’re quickly remembering – put things away, move all glass items to a higher location and be suspicious, very suspicious, when it gets too quiet. And, of course, give lots of hugs, kisses and cuddles."

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In Vino, Veritas

Hey Readers,

I'm pleased to report that our distinguished and incredibly knowledgeable Winemaker, Tony Wasowicz will be joining me in the blogging effort! (See the link on his name for his company profile). He's a wealth of knowledge on winemaking, farming, beekeeping, and many other very valuable and interesting topics. His tasting notes for the wines he makes are always written with a great deal of description, you can almost taste them just from reading the words.



It should be a great addition! So keep your eyes on the CVD Blog for Tony's "Notes from the Winemaker" as well as the tasting notes from our newest selections that I've been itching to post.

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

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Wanted:Dog of the Month

Dear Readers,

February is flying by already and I have yet to find a dog of the month to grace the blog. I know it's hard to follow Trevin, with a resume and a story like that! But it's not a contest, it's a celebration! I look forward to hearing about your special pet, don't be shy!

Our Winemaker Dinner at Great Northern went very well this past week, with everyone thoroughly enjoying the meal and the experience. We've got some very exciting new wines coming soon and I will tell you all about them just as soon as I've got official clearance, I promise! I've seen the labels for the new selections and they are stunning, as always.

If you're in the Cherry Creek neighborhood and you need some Labrador puppy in your life, (who couldn't use more of that?!), stop in to a great store called "Filsons" (2nd and Filmore), an outdoor clothing store who's door is guarded by a five and half month old yellow lab pup named "Tobi". I couldn't help but pop in when I saw them walking her. She promptly grabbed the coffee mug I was holding and went to town, chewing the lid and wrapping me up in her leash. I am a total sucker for animals and it made my night. "Do you want to see her baby pictures?" Heck yes I do! The owners are very welcoming and have pictures of her litter near the cash wrap that are not to be missed. I may have slid them a brochure about the CVD Labrador Savvy as well, just because dog and wine people have to stick together. So, go visit Tobi. She's a doll.

All and all it's been a good winter. I'll be back with some tasting notes and a dog of the month!
Thanks for reading!
Kristin

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Winemaker Dinner at Great Northern

Want to try the Cru Vin Dogs wines expertly paired with amazing food? You're in luck. Cru Vin Dogs is hosting a delicious and star studded event at Great Northern in the Denver Tech Center (see http://www.gntavern.com/index.html) on February 17th! It's our very first Winemaker Dinner in Colorado!

Our Winemaker, renowned in his field, Tony Wasowicz, will be there to discuss the wines, answer questions and talk about the process of making what is our current vino portfolio and all of it's progressions and complexity. I've seen him speak at a dinner after the bottling of our "Lucky" Cabernet-Merlot, and it really is an experience.

There also will be a surprise barrel tasting of a wine we're currently working on, it's going to be very exciting!

Above is a picture of Tony with his beloved Whippets, Jimi and Devo:

And a picture of his Whippets, (who love warm laundry), that I couldn't resist sharing :

You'll also be able to meet and greet with Cru Vin Dogs President, Mary Snellgrove and her husband, the artist of Cru Vin Dogs' labels, Jay Snellgrove, (Come visit us at the 1500 South Pearl Gallery for a close up look at his amazing work!)

Also in attendance will be Nurse Practitioner, (and CCI Calendar Girl), Randi Price and her very loyal Labrador,

"Lucky", (the same dog who graces the Cab-Merlot). They are both wonderful!

(Photo is by Sarah Watson of Watson Photography, see watsonphoto.com)

A winemaker's dinner would make a wonderful Valentines Day gift for a special someone if you're in the market!

Below is all the information about the dinner.

Don't miss it!

Cru Vin Dogs Winemaker’s Dinner
A multi-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Damon Keith paired with Cru Vin Dogs’ current portfolio

With a very special, surprise Barrel Tasting

$65.00 Per Person (price includes tax and gratuity)

Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 PM
Seating is limited, reservations are required
http://www.gntavern.com/ -Contract Andrea
303-770-4741

Reception:
Goat Cheese Pistachio Tartlette
Melon and Prosciutto Terrine
Puppy Series Labrador Retriever Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Salad:
Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio
With chive oil, Fleur de Sel, and micro greens
Puppy Series Bloodhound Chardonnay 2005
Puppy Series Golden Retriever Chardonnay 2006

Fish:
Tuna Au Poivre
With white bean truffle puree and swiss chard
Portrait Series "Yogi" Cabernet-Syrah 2005

Meat:
Beef Tenderloin
With Blackberry demi-glace, butter
Poached potatoes, and tomato provencal
Portrait Series "Lucky" Cabernet-Merlot 2006

Dessert:
Chocolate Mousse Triangles
Raspberry studded and served with vanilla bean crème anglaise
Best in Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Hope to see you all there!!

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Cru Vin Dogs Dog of the Month for DECEMBER/JANURARY

Dear readers and friends,

Our Cru Vin Dogs Dog of the Month will be a double this month, Trevin Weldin, a very special dog was elected to be the Dog of the Month for December, he has since been diagnosed with a rare form of Canine cancer. His mother and caretaker has been focusing her energies on giving Trevin the very best care a dog could hope for. So, with such a special and accomplished dog we wanted to make sure the piece was just right. Trevin is an incredible service dog with a huge heart and he and his mother have made a wonderful contribution to their community.

Sending my very best to them both and honoring the wonderful light they have been to each other and all of those who Trevin has worked with, here is an extra special Dog of the Month Feature:

Trevin Weldin
Cru Vin Dogs Dog of the Month

By Carol Weldin

"Trevin Weldin, bred to be an assistance dog by Canine Companions for Independence, puppy raised in Denver, CO and having completed advanced training at the South West Regional Training Center in Oceanside, CA, was “career changed” in August 2003 at the age of two, coming to live in Northern California.

Recognizing his extraordinary skills and delight in “working” led him to his alternate career path as a certified therapy dog in February 2004, having waited the requisite six months prior to certification.

His initial “work” (although he would hardly call it that) consisted of visits to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, CA, visiting the Rehabilitation Unit, with occasional visits to Oncology and Pediatrics as requested by the hospital staff. Special events with disabled children at Camp Arroyo always brought joy to Trevin and delight to the children.

His commitment to literacy programs for children was exhibited by his involvement in Pleasanton Library’s Paws to Read Program; Orinda Library Paws to Read; and starting up his very own program at Ygnacio Library of reading to children and teaching the appropriate way to approach an unknown dog.

While all dogs know how to “speak”, Trevin would exercise his “library voice” with the command “whisper” to the delight of adults and children alike!
Trevin brings joy to the many faces both young and old, with a special fondness in his library visits with his little person friend Melyssa who always asked if she could read to Trevin.

Involvement with Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek, CA consisted of representation at special events such as Stars to the Rescue (their signature headliner fundraiser) as a greeter, and on-site Learning Center and Birthday Party Programs for kids, aimed at creating awareness of the human animal bond and humane treatment toward animals.

Trevin’s career has been varied, (one person even commented “he is the only dog who has a canine resume”) whether it be launching and demonstrating the Revive-A-Pet resuscitation mask program outfitting all fire trucks in the Pleasanton-Livermore Fire District, which promoted CBS Channel 5 anchor Ken Battista to say “he is either one very obedient dog or is trying to reach the dog treat at the end of the mask”, to his ambassadorial role with varied animal- assisted programs.

His outreach/public relations events reached an international level having met Madame Jihan Sadat the widow of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (who was assassinated in 1981). Madame Sadat, who pioneered the cause of women’s rights in her country, currently teaches classes and leads seminars on women’s issues; Egyptian culture and international studies. She is the author of A Woman in Egypt.” Trevin met her at a Women’s Conference outreach activity.

The highlight of his career has been his special visits to George Mark Children’s House, visiting children with life limiting illnesses winning over several young patients some of whom were initially skeptical, but soon demonstrated big smiles when they heard he was in the House. Trevin could be found happily walking the halls alternately dressed as the Easter bunny; a Halloween pumpkin, and Santa “Paws”, carrying gifts for the kids and staff like in his monogrammed fabric “buckets”.

Sadly Trevin’s five-year therapy career will be cut short due to his recent diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, having undergone emergency surgery on December 19, 2008. He will continue to bring joy to everyone whose life he continues to touch with his gentleness and sweet spirit. To everyone whose life he has touched in animal-assisted therapy, we salute and love you, Trevin."

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