Healdsburg Ranches Cabernet (12)

Monday, July 9, 2012

Thank you. I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing vacation.

“Whoa whoa whoa. ‘Fraid not, pardner. This ain’t no dude ranch, it’s a working vineyard.”

Oh, I thought it was a ranch, but wine sounds nice, too!

“That’s right, Healdsburg has some of the rootinest, tootinest livestock this side of Sonoma.”

But you just said it was a vineyard. “That’s right, a vineyard ranch. We rope n’ herd one of the largest wine flocks in the valley.”

I…see…

“Grab this lariat, Yankee. You ever roped a wine before?”

No, I certainly have not.

“Trick is getting the loop all the way around the beast’s neck. Y’see, it’s all in the wrist. Like so.”

You just tossed your lasso in a puddle of wine.

“Sure did. And given enough practice, you’ll be a bona fide wine rustler yourself by week’s end.”

OK. Sure. What is the point of leaving wine out like this and treating it like livestock?

“Why, the taste, a’course! Y’ain’t never had a cabernet ’til you’ve had a certified, Grade-A, Angus, grass-fed, organic, hormone-free, humanely-raised cabernet.”

I simply do not believe you, sir.

“Well heck, have a taste!”

Oh my. Oh my my my. This is delicious!

“MmmmHmmmm.”

Well, I’ve learned a thing or two in my time here on the ranch, Virgil. I’ve learned that the city ain’t everything. I’ve learned that homespun cowboy wisdom can apply to wine. And I’ve learned that “lariat” is another word for lasso.

• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Production: 2,000 cases

Woot