Rumors Red February: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

“There's a rumor going 'round about me and you

Stirring up our little town the last week or two…”

Rumor by Lee Brice

Here we are, smack in the middle of our little town, making wine for all our hometown friends and visitors seeking a more grassroots affair. We’ve been very upfront in our approach to wine making; we focus on “easy-drinking” wines, as Thea and Rob say, to spark conversation and connect you to authentic experiences. Our family has often been accused of not taking life seriously, however I argue that the value we place on relationships, connections, and celebrating life are the few things that define a life well-lived.

In a small town, isn’t it true you can measure a group’s connection by the evidence of rumors spread during a gathering? Probably not, but sometimes it certainly feels true! With our Rumors wine, we wanted to celebrate this small town feeling while mocking the “why did the chicken cross the road?” joke. Our Rumors line was one of our first releases in 2017 with a bright Barbera blend lightened with a touch of a Vidal grape. This light red was a fun winter switch for typical white drinkers. In contrast, our current Rumors blend is one of our hardest reds, consisting of a bold Cabernet Sauvignon and blended with a soft Merlot for a smooth, round palette. These exquisite grapes harmonize pleasantly with the French oak in which it was aged in for a year. French oak can enhance the wine by providing subtle yet firm flavors and imparting a silkier tannin profile in comparison to American oak.

What started as a light-hearted red has become a full-hearted red with great depth. This is the Valentine of wines, and sharing of which demonstrates a combination of passion and care. Celebrate love endlessly with those deserving. Well-wishers often perform wine toasts at weddings to wish prosperity to the individuals' married life, but the aspiration for endless love should be extended daily. The grounding experience of love is felt persistently on our farm. Thea’s acts of care to her animals, Rob’s passionate displays of protection and providing, and the family’s daily celebration of being able to spend their lives together reveal how our actions are driven by love.

So why did the chicken cross the road? Love, duh! Well, for the love of wine…

Regardless of your love language and how you choose to display your affections, know that everytime you share a glass of wine, the rumor has it that you are connected.

Cheers to love!