Ah whoops. It’s Cab who’s Elvis. Still, a pretty accurate depiction of how tastes change and how everything gets its moment in the spotlight.

Oh god, Sideways. I worked with merlot at the time, and everyone and their mom came in and would say, “No, no merlot for me.” And then they would quote that movie at me like it was the most original thing in the world. Poor merlot. As with all things, it can be good and bad, but maybe the best thing that came from it…

Always good to have options. :)

I’m torn here. On one hand, the former wine-slinger in me wants to say, “Well, there’s good and bad versions of everything, even Zin,” but the Zin-hater (yes, I am one) in me is totally in agreement with you. Besides, most things that go into ultra-wide distribution tend to have a little more appeal to a broader…

It totally could be that they just like to say it! It does have a certain flair, I’ll give it that.

Gah! You’re right. ZIN is always in all caps. I stand corrected. :)

You would be surprised (or maybe not) but many Big Red Drinkers™ really only drink one thing, regardless of the season (case in point: my dad, who does not drink white wine or eat red meat, and therefore will drink it in the summer and winter equally. The man likes his bold reds). Not that I think these dudebros were…

No no, YOU the real MVP, my friend. Combining my two favorite potent potables, bourbon and bubbly?

Aaaaand now I know what I’ll be having after work today. FanTAStic idea.

(Now former) tasting host here to say that the Zin fanatics are ... probably the most enthusiastic about their grape preferences. Zin people REALLY. LOVE. ZIN. A lot. Zin people were the only ones who would come into the winery where I worked, be disappointed that we didn’t make a Zin, tell me we SHOULD, and then ask…

Oof, sometimes the really simple and obvious things are the most unwieldy to explain.

A+ gif usage! Daleks will never not amuse me.

Similarly, while working in retail (winery tasting room), I would have people come in, bring their purchases to me, and be confused about having to pay California sales tax when they were from a state that doesn’t have sales tax. “But I’m from Oregon,” they might say, “so how come I have to pay sales tax?” And I would…

Dying over here. Yes, really. I didn’t mention that four different types of cookies were also packaged, tied with bows, added to the boxes, which were then further tied with cute red ribbons. (Thank god he didn’t try to induct me into the bakers’ guild as well as the amateur silk screeners.) I will say this: the…

You’ve been doing Bacchus’s work, my friend. The most ridiculous things I’ve had to do have been really unconnected to the job; rather they fell in that mystery 10% where anything goes. I had to do was silk-screen thank you cards for all our wine club members (I don’t know how to silk screen of course), and then write…

Oh my giddygod, the FedExing. I raise my glass to you, my comrade. And there’s a pretty good chance it’s beer. After all, it takes a lot of beer to make wine.

Me too! I did basically what you did, but for a little bitty winery here in Northern California. They basically said, “Look, nobody wants to do social media or compliance or manage the wine club. So, uh, could you?” Five years and a LOT of time on the phone with the lovely folks at every state’s department of revenue,…

Well I hope you get a chance to go back to visit as often as you can — it’s such a magical place (though I confess I only know it through the eyes of a summer camp kid/staff member, which is a pretty idealized view of ANYWHERE). And congrats on grad school! Best of luck to you, internet stranger.

Seasonal workers of the San Juan Islands unite! I worked on Orcas for for summers. Heaven on earth.