I discovered that to embrace my life’s passions required me to focus on the following statement:

  • For the Love of _________! ( Fill in the blank)

I found that my life’s passions were centered around my Wife, kids, family, and friends with the most memorable moments being those where we celebrated our new and/or shared experiences. During these expressive moments we were able to combine our feelings of family, love and togetherness that allowed us to show and share the love we feel with each other.

Recently, over the last 30 plus years, our celebrations have begun and ended with Wine. Not just certain wines, but “ALL” wines! From gallon jugs of homemade Choke Cherry wine and Carlo Rossi Rose’s to boxes of white blends, Sparkling Wines and Champagnes, Pinot’s, Merlot’s, Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chateauneuf du Pape’s and Beaujolais’s (young and old) and many, many Red and White BLENDS as well as many other varietals grown in unlikely vineyards that hailed from Canada, Minnesota, and New York.

In my circle of family and friends, Wine is the “Chicken Soup” that heals all aliments and brings that feeling of well-being and togetherness to any table where we gather!

With all that being said, my understanding of wine during my long and delicious journey over the years has created a true wine fan. Some friends call me a “wine snob”, but I am really a Unitarian when it comes to wine. “If you like it, then you should drink it and enjoy it!” That is my commentary and overall guidance on wine, ALL wine! But if you don’t like it, move on as there are many wines that are waiting for you to taste and experience them.

Let me share with you the best advice I ever received during my wine journey. It was pivotal for me and helped me to control my expectations and truly taste wine, looking forward to the enjoyment, or not, of it.

I was in Sonoma County CA, tasting in a small winery and vineyard, I had just tasted a sampling of one of their prized Cabs. I remember, still holding the glass, trying to look as I knew what I was doing except that the pucker on my face gave away my thoughts on that particular sample.

The connoisseur pouring that day in the tasting room laughed out loud and BTW, that is how the acronym “LOL” was born! Additionally, his advice to me was to never be afraid to show the true feeling(s) that a wine can give you during the initial meeting! I have followed that advice ever since and have had many grimaces, smiles and everything in-between including a good LOL when a wine surprises me and goes beyond my expectations!

I am developing the Unicorn Wine label in order to create, share and celebrate beautiful wines with my family, friends and fellow wine fans. Our focus is on only 2-3 varietals per year. We work with only high-quality fruit, consult with expert wine makers, and focus on bringing out the unique and often hidden qualities within each gape in order to develop exceptionally priced and high-quality wines that will surpass your expectations and not break the bank!

Please read my blog as I will continue to share my journey with you as we move into the future.