A Toast to Fathers of the Wine World

For many of the world’s greatest vintners, the story of wine is a story of family. This Father’s Day, we’re toasting to fathers around the globe whose hard work and perseverance have paved the way for generations to come. In honor of the holiday, we’ve asked the children of some of the wine industry’s most visionary leaders to share a few words on what inspires them about their fathers. From the Sonoma Coast to Chablis, Ribera del Duero to the Rhône Valley, here’s what they had to say: JASMINE HIRSCH on her father DAVID HIRSCH, founder and proprietor of Hirsch Vineyards on the Sonoma Coast , California: I thought before I started working for my Dad that I loved him a lot. And of course I did. But I loved him as a daughter loves a father, which is a special, beautiful, unique and generous love. A very specific and important love. But through working together, I came to love him as a human being. I saw all that he had sacrificed, his solitary work in the vineyard on the remote Sonoma Coast when he was first getting started and no one cared what he was doing. During our now 11 years working together, we went through some difficult times where we fought and disagreed on the direction of the business. We both cared so much. We both loved each other so much. But I was still acting like a child with her father – expecting him to give me what I wanted with no regard for what he needed. It was when I learned to love and respect him as another human being, not just as my father, that I began to grow up in our relationship. Unless both of our deep, real life needs were met (needs which are never going to be exactly the same for two people of such different ages) we would not be able to achieve our shared goals in respect of the land and the business. My father’s lifelong patience with me, combined with our love (always love is essential!), have made it possible for us to reach the point where we are now – father and daughter, always; but also partners in a shared dream. PHILIPPE GUIGAL on his father MARCEL GUIGAL, vintner at E. Guigal in Côte-Rôtie , Rhône Valley, France: As far as my memory goes back, I have always been very close to my father. We even have a “fusional” relationship. This word might seem extreme, but tasting wines seven days a week for two hours built my taste buds and my appreciation of wines as a clone of my father’s (who was himself a clone of my grandfather). Therefore, when talking about the vision for a wine, I came to the conclusion that we are a single soul separated in two different palates. OLGA FERNÁNDEZ on her father ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ, winemaker and founder of Tinto Pesquera and Condado de Haza in Ribera del Duero , Spain and Dehesa La Granja in Castilla y León, Spain: Gracias por haber ido a contracorriente, Gracias por enseñarme a pensar y a sentir, Gracias por todo el amor que me has dado, Gracias Padre, te quiero mucho. (In translation) Thank you for always having gone against the grain, Thank you for teaching me how to think and feel, Thank you for all of the love you have given me, Thank you Father, I love you. FABIEN MOREAU on his father CHRISTIAN MOREAU, proprietor of Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils in Chablis , France: A few words on my father is not easy. I may need to write a book of 500 pages! He has his own way of teaching me something. For example, when I was 17 years old, for harvest, I was supposed to drive the tractor with the trailer following the machine harvest (at this time, my father had one). The problem was, I had never driven this kind of big tractor with the big harvest trailer. The day before, at 5:00 pm, I said to my father, “You were supposed to show me how to drive the tractor.” “Well,” he said, “let’s go.” We went, and I practiced for 15 minutes under a heavy rain until my father said, “Stop, it’s enough.” The morning after, at 6:00 am, I was driving in the 1er Cru Vaillon, in a three-meter-wide muddy row in the dark, trying not to destroy the vines with the trailer, I was in a sweat, but in the end, it’s a good way to learn! RUPERT SYMINGTON on his father JAMES RONALD SYMINGTON, proprietor of Symington Family Estates, including Dow’s, Warre’s, Graham’s, Quinta do Vesuvio, and Cockburn’s in Porto , Portugal: My father James invited my wife and I and our three children to dinner at his home some years ago. At the end of dinner he produced a decanter of amber-coloured Port and asked us all to guess how old it was. To our amazement, he had opened one of his last bottles of Warre 1908 Vintage Port originally from his own father’s cellar. The wine was excellent. He was determined to let his grandchildren have what could be a unique experience of tasting a wine made by their great, great grandfather and share that special moment with them. Searching for a great gift for Dad? A Vinous Classic Subscription makes for the perfect Father's Day present.

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

TwiLea Fletcher

9.4

Happy Father’s Day.... a week early! — 6 years ago

Paul, P and 2 others liked this

Di Majo Norante

Ramì Bianco Molise Falanghina 2017

Ryan

9.1

Fathers Day wine — 7 years ago

Ericsson, P and 1 other liked this

Arcanum

Toscana Red Blend 2010

Severn G

9.3

60% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Nose has spring rose, rain moistened red raspberry, black currant and fresh sage.

Palate has lightly tannic blackberry, wet leather, ripe black currant, cigar box, wet clay and tarry black cherry.

Paired with a long cooked Bolognese sauce over fettuccine. Decanted ~3hr, more time in the decanter would benefit. Future bottles can be 2022+

Happy Father's Day 2019 to all. Today I'm posting pictures of our kids, yes they are all furry, independent and somewhat self-interested. Two boys (8) and two girls (2), sisters, all rescued. They generally bring the utmost of joy to my life on a daily basis. It has been a rainy and relaxing day here, everyone is loving the slow pace of life today.

I think that Delectable needs to be able to tag cat+wine posts so that I can make a bookmark for felines. — 7 years ago

Shay, Somm and 30 others liked this

Sharon B

Aww I love that you rescued your kitties!

Dawn E.

@Severn Goodwin yep! I have a cat named Patience...will work on getting her!

Sarah O'Kelley

❤️❤️❤️

Condado de Haza

Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2000

Holly Orchard

Certified Sommelier, President of Savvy Cellar Wines Inc.

9.2

Soooo good! I can’t believe how much wonderful structure there is for this wine: great fruit such as dried red currant and black plum, a hint of boysenberry, followed by white pepper, old leather, earthiness, balanced tannins, and a slightly spicey finish. Such a great value and very enjoyable with bone-in ribeye and eloté grilled corn. Still firmly “Old World” style, so earthiness is the driving factor in this rustic, yet satisfying wine. — 8 years ago

Paul, Maria and 3 others liked this

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils

Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2014

John Landis

9.3

Golden color with exceptional minerality on the nose and in the mouth. Incredible length and rich Chardonnay flavors quite typical of a grand cru Chablis. Lovely wine; drinking great now and will age for 5-7 years. — 9 years ago

Sylvain, Amy and 5 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2013

Tom Riley

9.3

2013. Welcome to the fruit and acid dance. But don't talk about aromas. Say fragrance. And, I almost hate to use this word, but this wine is superbly balanced. Citrus and apples, gorgeous mouthfeel. Long, long finish. Terrific wine. — 9 years ago

Anthony, Shawn and 12 others liked this

Joe Davant

I couldn't agree more. Their 2013 Chardonnay is superb.

Santo Tomás

Duetto Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Jeremy.Buss

9.1

A very early Fathers Day celebration brought out this bottle. In our area this is not an easy wine to get and so I try to limit for special occasions. I’ve had multiple vintages and while the 2013 is good, it might actually be at its peak compared to earlier years. Very balanced tannins, hints of leather, tobacco, dark but muted berries and a medium finish. This drank very smoothly and that might be due to the 45 minutes to hour decanting that opened it up. Like supporting MX wine and this is a good one to try. — 6 years ago

Willa, Ron and 5 others liked this

Ericsson

Great post. Looking forward to trying this...

The Ojai Vineyard

Presidio Vineyard Syrah 2008

Mark Laumann

9.4

Fathers Day second bottle — 7 years ago

with Mallory

Jon, P and 1 other liked this

Mt. Brave

Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

David Rowe

9.4

Very nice vintage! Enjoyed at the Belfrey for Fathers Day dinner with family — 7 years ago

Ericsson, P and 2 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

East Ridge Pinot Noir 2014

Raj Harb

9.4

I really love the ‘14 pinots at Hirsch and the east ridge is no exception. The wines are structured but approachable. The fruit is bright and the overall feel is rather delicate. I thought it was drinking better now than the ‘12 — 8 years ago

with Jasmine

Doug, Kimberly and 32 others liked this

Warre's

Vintage Porto Port Blend 1977

Brent Clayton

9.5

Magnificent bottle. Perfectly resolved. In that velvety smooth stage where the alcohol is integrated and it is silky and refined on the palate. Color is translucent dark ruby on the pour, but still dark in the glass. — 8 years ago

Amy, Maria and 2 others liked this

Château Cru Cantemerle

Supérieur Red Bordeaux Blend

Esteban Castillo Quesada

9.5

Perfect I reserved for a special day, Father's Day at CR. For me French wines are the best of all the world ! Salud !! — 9 years ago

Ericsson, P and 1 other liked this

E. Guigal

La Turque Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2009

Andrew S

9.8

Tied for WOTN. Really amazing- flavors just went on and on and continued to unfold in the glass through the course of the evening. — 10 years ago

Amy, Maria and 3 others liked this

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Roy Goble

9.5

My third tasting of the 2012 and it remains joyful — 7 years ago

Eric, Shay and 13 others liked this

Sharon B

Beautiful setting!!

Clos Canarelli

Corse Figari Rosé Blend 2017

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

Fathers Day in style. One of my very favorite wines from anywhere. Clos Canarelli Corse Figare Rose. It’s simply exuberant, but has a fresh, thirst quenching character to it as well. It takes a special bottle to pair with this album which I received as a Father’s Day present. The one and only recording from Michael O’Shea who played a self made 17 strong dulcimer of sorts and was encouraged by members of The The and Wire to record this in the early 80’s. Both have a soulful mystery to them which make for a wonderfully introspective time on an introspective day. I love that my family humors these little obsessions and shares them with me. — 7 years ago

Mike, Severn and 40 others liked this

Hugh O'Riordan

Very nice

Peter van den Besselaar

Fine description, wonderful taste

Gaja

Sugarille Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

Fathers Day is upon us and I wish all Fathers a wonderful weekend. Today I had opened the 2013 Gaja Sugarille Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello de Montalcino 100% Sangiovese.

The aromas are very prominent with notes of cherry, plum, blueberry, thyme, herbs, dried Rose's, broken brick chips, graphite and dried soil.

On the palate there is cherry, plum, red raspberry, spice, balsamic, thyme, leather and a nice earthy component.

This wine is a beautiful expression of a Tuscan Sangiovese medium to full bodied with medium + acidity and medium + firm, grippy, fine tannins that lead to a long spicy elegant finish. You fathers out there enjoy your weekend and keep safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 7 years ago

P, Rick and 18 others liked this

P A

@Daniel P. Drake Daniel Great post Cheers 🍷

E. Guigal

Brune et Blonde de Guigal Côte-Rotie Syrah 2013

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Smokey and spiced nose with cedar and black raspberry, on the palate firm tannins turn supple with time, black cherries and pepper. Needs a long decant. — 8 years ago

Mike, Ira and 4 others liked this

Terre di Valgrande

Amarone della Valpolicella

Steven Marshall

9.0

Happy Father's Day 2017.
After an hour this wine opened up beautifully!
— 9 years ago

Ericsson, P and 2 others liked this

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils

Vaillon Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

9.2

An estate that never disappoints. Crackling freshness, yellow pear peel, top-notch harmony. — 10 years ago

Marc, Drew and 14 others liked this

W. & J. Graham's

Aged 20 Years Tawny Port Blend

Fabien Lainé

Blogger VinDeling.com

9.2

A lovely treat, a signature for the Graham's house, perfect blending between freshness from the youth and character - concentration from the old ports - this 20 years of Le is for sure one of my favorite Taney blend and a bargain for any #winelover out there ! Cigar and chocolates are a perfect match 😃 — 11 years ago

Anthony, terroirista-cy and 5 others liked this