There are a lot of memories, but this is the one I like the best. Back in 2003, my wife and I were planning a trip to Napa Valley and wanted to do something more active than just going to the different wineries. We heard about these concerts that the Mondavi Winery put on throughout the summer and thought that might be fun. So, we got the tickets, put together a little picnic and brought our chairs. You get to the winery and they have a stage set up right up on the grass against the vines; so picturesque.

We didn’t realize it at the time but it just so happened that they were celebrating Robert Mondavi’s 90th Birthday on the day of the concert! As luck would have it, we were sitting kind of in the back, and sure enough, there he is on his 90th birthday. They took him up front, he waved to everyone, and his wife led everyone in singing “Happy Birthday” with the band. It was more damn fun. I didn’t get to talk to him but I was there with him! In my mind, he was the most iconic figure in wine and I was really infatuated with Napa Valley. To me, it was one of the most fun days, and even though it wasn’t just about wine, being there was really a neat experience.

I’m a Bordeaux guy, definitely. I love Cabernet, it’s the varietal I tend to focus on, and so,

Bordeaux… definitely.

This is a harder one to decide. In the years I’ve been at Surdyk’s, there has been a slow but continuous move from California-style to more focus on Old World. New World wines are still a work in progress - relatively young and the wines are great, but more spotlight types. But when it comes to the Old World, people still drink wine for the right reason: it goes so well with food. I drink wine because I like it with food and pairing it with things. With more emphasis on the subtleties, it’s Old World for me.

Tuscany. For the wines, of course, but also for the scenery and for the people. Italians have a different way of looking at food and wine - pairing and drinking it. I really enjoy Tuscan wines, particularly Chianti Classico.

Fred Peterson of Peterson Winery in Dry Creek. At this point, Fred feels like an old friend. I’ve been out to his winery and have had dinners with him a number of times. He makes small-batch wines, and it’s certainly not the most expensive wine or some iconic celebrity, but I like the way he thinks and I like the way he makes his wines.

A cedar-plank grilled salmon with Pinot Noir.

I’d like to taste Screaming Eagle, maybe one 10-15 years old - simply because of its goofy name. Honestly, I’d like to taste it if only to prove to myself it’s no better than some other wines.

Champagne

Italy or France - you see these rolling hills and these vineyards that have been there since Roman times. It’s hard not to think of the history.

Cabernet Sauvignon for its sophistication and complexity...

"I’m a Cab guy. Fill me full of Cabs."

“Lots of wines, many of them good wines, let you taste the noise… but only the best let you taste the silence.”

This is from Terry Theise and his “Theise Manifesto.” There is something there that is like life, you can go to a party and you can be part of the noise and people and the crowds, but your best moments are in the silence, in the quiet and you’re with friends, or nature, or family. It’s certainly is true of wine… it’s not at all about what you’re describing, what they taste like - like butter, or cloves, or grass...

it’s what the wine does to you and with you.

Terry says wine is a companion for a few hours; you share a love affair for a short period of time. The best wines you have are the ones you share an experience with. That’s when you find the silence.