Wine Guys in Spandex: Part 1 of 6

A little over two years ago, Ric set out on an endeavor to make a documentary film chronicling the epic journey of Cycling Team Karl Lawrence on the storied Tour of Napa Valley.

Despite a talented and on-top-of-it cinematographer, Aaron Doyle (one of Lissa's students), the post-production crew was... well, not as punctual.

So let's fast-forward over the two years of procrastination, tears, and hardship and show y'all the video. In it's entirety it's around 20 minutes, so we're premiering it in installments over the next week or two. 

So, sit back. Relax. And enjoy some Wine Guys in Spandex:

Staglin's Show 2012

It's amazing how the years fly by. Yep, another great Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health has already came and gone. And to prove it, here's a blurry cell phone photo of Germain Jackson, of the Jackson 5:

But Germain wasn't the only ol' star showing his face around Staglin. Rusty Staub, who you might know from 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, volunteers every year as the festival doorman. Each year, he tastes each and every wine and picks out the best of the bunch. 

This year he picked the '07 Karl Lawrence Herb Lamb Single Vineyard Reserve. After deeming it worthy, he sent most everyone he talked to at the event back to Ric's table to try some. Thanks, Rusty!

And here's Ric with Bill James. He's from Chicago, a big fan of Karl Lawrence, and tasted a truck load of wines at the Staglin event.

On Sunday, Silverado Orchards (the retirement home around the corner from Ric's house), held a classic car show. Ric showed the '36 Buick and poured wine, while his cousin, Ed Stump showed his '94 Morgan. Here's Ed having a swell time:

A rare view of KL in 2012

Well, folks, blog-posts have been few and far between in 2012 but we got a few photo-updates for you guys so, enjoy:

Here's longtime Karl Lawrence people, Hans and Inger about to take a '36 Buick ride to Henry Brothers' Ranch:

Again, keep in mind that if you decide to come visit us in St. Helena, you might get lucky enough to score a ride with Ric in one of his throw-back hot-rods... He'll probably just try to get you to ride a bike but like the great Wayne Gretzky said: "You miss %100 of the shots you don't take." So come give it your best shot.

And here's Thi-Nga with Doug Gallagher, and Tom and Kirsten Minasian from Newport Beach. They're a very KL savvy crew who've made Napa Valley a frequent stomping grounds.

And lastly, here's Frank Reich, Kathy Bollinger, Elizabeth Reich, and Tom Bollinger, all of Scottsdale, AZ at their first stop of the day, Outpost Winery:  

They bought the day with Ric at the Make A Wish charity auction. Yes, they got to cruise around visiting our friends' wineries in the '36 Buick. With Ric as their sober driver...

So if you want to take the Buick or the Dodge further than just around the block, make it an official ride by attending one of the many charity events we're involved in and start bidding! 

More pics of these lucky tasters to come! We just wanted to clue you in on the epic view you guys are missing at Outpost!

Thanks for tuning in!

PCH

At 5:30 AM before a 93-mile cycle-thon down the Pacific Coast Highway, there's nothing better than chowing down on Nora Raffetto's famous cumin-oregano scrambled eggs. They're such a hit, they've become an annual tradition for the Karl Lawrence cycling team.


Here's long time KL customers and friends Mike and Nora Raffetto with Cheryl at Little Napoli in Carmel the night before the ride:

Just before the gun, KL cycle teammate Mark Jensen clips in and contemplates the staggering journey ahead of him:

Here, the irrepressible Jack McGlynn, the organizer of the ride, thanks his urologist for making it possible for him to lead out in the ride earlier in the day. Jack's ridden 35 of the 40 PCH annual rides.

The ride was, as always, a great one, and we'd love to have any of you cycle heads join our crew next year.


In other Karl Lawrence news, Ric is currently contacting each KL customer who hasn't responded to the emailed Offering Letter as quite a number of the letters went to people's spam file.  Also, a hard copy of the Offering Letter will be snail-mailed to people with no emails and bad emails.


See y'all on the road!

Jon Bon Jones

While Ric was on his Sip 'N Cycle tour guide training run, for Get Away Adventures, he visited Lava Vines, where low and behold, our erstwhile sometimes Karl Lawrence host, Jon Jones, was hanging out. Well... working actually. Between wine flights, Jon disregarded the room's lack of ladies and serenaded the crowd with some original songs anyway.

Afterglow of a Great Trip

Lee Stapleton hails from Miami and visits the Valley every so often to maintain her veteran status with Karl Lawrence. This trip, Ric spent the day chauffeuring Lee and David Riggs around to show them his favorite spots.

The first stop was at Hollywood and Vine, where they met a longtime friend of ours and partner at H & V, Doug Barr.

Here, David, Lee, and Doug pose with the winemaker at Hollywood and Vine, Celia Welch.

Next, the crew followed the path frequented by many Karl Lawrence aficionados, and journeyed to our favorite son-in-law's place of work, Staglin Family Vineyard.

On a rainy day, Chris Pratt crawled out of the caves to greet them at the entrance.

Chris gave 'em the rundown and some juice from the barrels.

Then they hunkered down in the kitchen, tasted some more wine, and talked with proprietor, Shannon Staglin.

The kitchen table chat continued at Crocker & Starr Winery where Lee and David met with host Mark and the co-proprietor and winemaker, Pam Starr.

The crew also visited Outpost Wines, but because Ric was so juiced by his company, he forgot to snap a photo. But never-the-less, Lee, who's an experienced Napa Valley traveler, proclaimed this trip to be "the best Napa day ever." A few days later, she sent Ric an email saying she was "still in the afterglow of a great trip."

So if you're sitting at home, trying to think of what do on a rainy day, head up to the Valley, where Ric can introduce you to his friends and their most excellent wine.

Another Excellent Party

This past Saturday, we were lucky enough to bring a couple bottles of Karl Lawrence to Lisa Drinkward's birthday extravaganza at the Native Sons' Hall. Nicholas worked harvest for Lisa and Les last fall up at Behrens Family Winery, and needless to say, we were well aware of their outstanding party throwing skills.

The legendary Wrist Rocket kicked out the jams and had the dance floor going all night:

And yes, believe your eyes. That's Les up there shredding on blues guitar. Here's a photo where Ric took a little more artistic freedom:

Possible album cover?

So to keep it short and sweet, we'd like to thank Les and Lisa for keeping the local St. Helena spirit alive and throwing a most excellent party. You guys rock.

Months after harvest, Nicholas somehow still stands in Les and Lisa's good graces. Oh, and Angie's too.

And, if you haven't done so already, check out Behrens Family Winery, here. You will not be disappointed.