The grapes of laughs — and loves and land and legacies

We blessed the vines our son Vinnie and his wife Danni planted this weekend in a ceremony so simple and yet so touching I’m warmed by it still.

In the ancient Georgian tradition, ten times we raised our glasses as the sun set on one of those gorgeous, productive days that end in sweaty, tired gratitude.

The first cheer went up to God for bringing us all together in a corner of the world we consider sacred.

The second cheer went to the land with its many layers of soil, history, community and life.

As we raised our glasses to our ancestors during the third toast, our Merikipe (I called her our Merry Keeper) Danni walked a row and spilled some wine out to share with family members who have passed on. I mentioned in particular an admirable woman I knew as Baba Melnyk, who grew grapes and made wine in her backyard garden.

Our coast-to-coast family became part of the celebration during the fourth toast, when we raised our glasses to them with hopes of sharing a bountiful harvest together.

We saluted our handy, helpful friends in the fifth toast. So many of them showed up with their ideas, equipment, expertise and generous gifts of time as Vinnie and Danni worked to put their vineyard together that I worry I’ll miss a name, but here’s to people like Tim, Terry, Dave, Margaret, Pudge and the rest!

Our sixth cheers went to the river that sustains us all in so many ways. It once covered the field and, while it now runs just to the east, it still flavors and forms the fruit. River wine carries its own special notes and I’m looking forward to tasting it in the coming years.

For the seventh cheers I toasted our vintners, Vinnie and Danni, who traveled the world learning all about wine and then planted their grapes right here in Wisconsin.

Danni offered the eighth toast to Grandpa Ron, who also grew grapes, and whose care and foresight in purchasing the land nearly 50 years ago has allowed us all to enjoy it today.

We honored the vines in our ninth toast, with gratitude for the way they stretch, grow, invite and bear new fruit, much like family.

The tenth toast noted the roots, the ones we hope will stretch deep into the rich earth to support sustainable vines, and the ones upon which we’ve grown our family.

May this be a vintage year for all.

Salud!