Woodinville, WA

[stevebody]

I just wanted to rave a little about the 'hood: I don't know how it is in every wine region but, here in little ol' Woodinville, the friendliness and cooperation between the wineries - even the hulks like Ste. Michelle and Columbia - is remarkable. I hear all this rumbling from over in WallaWallaLand - so'n'so is a putz, this guy doesn't like that one, etc. - while around here Matt Loso at Matthews lends his facilities to other winemakers all the time, guys will help one another crush, help with bottling, trade marketing ideas. And they're just such decent people. Bob Betz is one of the nicest guys I've met in years, not just one of the most agreeable winemakers. Bob Bertheau from Ste. Michelle is a rabid football fan and comes in just to talk sports and is up to a BUNCH of adventurous stuff in the winery. Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan is the biggest breath of fresh air I know; it makes my day just to talk to him on the phone. And the people at DiStefano have been the biggest supporters we've had. There has been exactly one winery that's been a small pain and they shall remain nameless. I get to work every day and find myself whistling, laughing more, and in No hurry to leave at night. It's been 12 years since I felt that way walking into a restaurant. I can only hope that you guys have something that lights up your days like this little joint - and our hometown - does for me.

P.S.: Plus - not unimportantly - the wines being made here right now are staggering. Betz's Pere de Famille came in yesterday and it's one of the damnedest things I've tasted or smelled in years. I can say things only slightly less effusive about a LOT of wines made here. This is gettin to be a lot of fun...