ARBOR SUMMER FALL 2023

IN THIS ISSUE: ANNUAL MEETING REPORT MEMBERS IN THE NEWS PAUL & MERRILL BONARRIGO: IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FAMILY AFFAIR NATIONAL NEWS PORTUGAL: 52ND FICB CONGRESS RECAP Summer/Fall 2023

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Table of Contents Chapters Monterey .............................................10 Orange County ....................................13 Lodi .....................................................14 Los Angeles ..........................................16 Lake Tahoe ...........................................20 Nation's Capital ...................................23 Gulf Coast ............................................26 Tennessee .............................................30 North Carolina .....................................38 Chancellery ..........................................40 San Francisco Bay Area .........................42 Houston ...............................................46 Austin ..................................................52

Feature Articles Annual Meeting Report ......................4 Story by Master Scribe Forrest Preece Photos Robert Jones Photography

In Memoriam ......................................12 Members in the News .........................19 Paul & Merrill Bonarrigo: It Has Always Been A Family Affair...............32

by Trish Hagner, Inspired by Nan McCreary

National News .....................................45 Friends of KOV ...................................51 Portugal: 52nd FICB Congress Recap....................................56

In Every Issue Directory ..............................................63

National Headquarters

4448 W. 12th Street, Houston, TX 77055-7204 Phone: 844.440.8463 • www.kov.org

Directors Robert C. “Buddy” Hagner, Jr., Chairman Claire Cuccio, Jerry Gatlin, Kenneth A. Haapala, Richard Kehoe, Ken Levy, Gordon MacKay, Pasquale “Pat” Pingitore, Tom Webb

Grand Officers Robert C. “Buddy” Hagner, Jr., Grand Commander Kenneth A. Haapala, Grand Vice Commander Jerry Gatlin, Grand Treasurer Tom Webb, Grand Administrative Officer

Grand Council Robert C. “Buddy” Hagner, Jr., Grand Commander Kenneth A. Haapala, Grand Vice Commander Jerry Gatlin, Grand Treasurer Tom Webb, Grand Administrative Officer • webbtom@bellsouth.net Pasquale “Pat” Pingitore, International Emissary Janet Hamilton, Vice Commander Los Angeles Chapter

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Trish Hagner, Executive Director

Provosts Provost General, Northeastern United States Dave Barber da ve . b a r b e r @ e a r t hli n k. n e t

Provost General, Southeastern United States Thomas Storey t b s@ e sm he . n e t

Provost General, Northwestern United States Peter Bosco b re d1 @a t t . n e t

Provost General, Southwestern United States Lois Van Vooren lo i s. va n vo o re n @ g mai l .c o m

Arbor Magazine Dario & Debbie Lorenzana, Layout & Design Trish Hagner, Cathie S. Smith, Editorial Review Board

The Arbor is published twice yearly and is the official publication of The Order of the Knights of the Vine, a nonprofit, tax exempt fraternal organization. Mailing address: 4448 W. 12th Street, Houston, TX 77055-7204 Internet: http://www.kov.org. Unsolicited articles and pictures are welcome and will be considered for publication by the Editorial Review Board. Items, if mailed, cannot be returned. Comments and materials should be sent to kov-office@kov.org. Members of the Knights of the Vine receive a free subscription. Subscriptions by nonmembers are $20.00 per year. Copyright ©2023‑ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, The Order of the Knights of the Vine, Inc.

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From the

Commander’s Desk

After a long, hot summer, it feels great to look back on all the wonderful times we’ve had together in 2023 and look ahead to so many more exciting opportunities!

In the following pages, you’ll meet new members who joined at chapter assemblages across the country, share news coming out of our 2023 National Meeting, get to know Supreme Knights Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo and experience a few of the surprises that made up a great FICB Congress in Portugal.

Speaking of Portugal, it was amazing to have almost 30% of the total attendance be from our Order. The FICB President and our Portuguese hosts were truly appreciative of the KOV support. In additional to wine tastings, tasty lunches, exquisite dinners and historical tours, there were a number of parades in colorful robes and hats of the brotherhoods through the towns often accompanied by bands or horses and led by signs announcing the country represented. As we followed a local in traditional Portuguese costume carrying the U.S.A. sign, we found the townspeople cheering and clapping! It was a moment of great pride for all of us and the fellowship that we witnessed between our members, the townspeople and with the members of other brotherhoods in attendance was heartwarming. You’ll read an account of the Congress by Claire Cuccio and over 40 photos showing smiling faces and beautiful places. Attendance at FICB events is a tremendous membership benefit and I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to do that … including the 2nd FICB Wine Challenge in Hungary in May 2024.

Our “Friends of KOV” program is growing! More wineries are making generous offers and discounts available to our members. Most recently we’ve added Mounts Family Winery, Eberle Winery and Bougetz Cellars. You will find information here in The Arbor and on the KOV website. I hope you will take advantage of the offers and visit them in person.

Our 2023 National Meeting was in March 2023 in Austin and we thank our Austin Chapter for their wonderful hospitality. Our 2024 National Meeting, hosted by the Chancellery Chapter, will be in Sacramento April 11-14, 2024. These meetings are open to all members and we hope you will make your plans to be there.

As always, we are doing our very best to share important information, events, membership benefits and support with you and the best way for us to do that is through direct email. If you are not receiving emails from KOV, please email us at kov-office@kov.org.

Sharing the mission of KOV with others is important and so easy! Invite your friends and colleagues to events or just give them a copy of The Arbor. Like we often say, the gesture of striking your glass to the glass of a friend contains the hope of all humanity. We hope you’ll let your friends share the joy of KOV. I look forward to sharing a glass of wine with you soon. Until then,

per vitem! ad vitam!

Robert C. “Buddy” Hagner, Jr., Grand Commander

Summer/Fall 2023

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SKY HIGH! 2023 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT Story by Master Scribe Forrest Preece Photos Robert Jones Photography

What better way to begin the 2023 Knights of the Vine National Meeting of Delegates than by giving attendees a bird’s-eye view of the 11th largest city in the country; from the 55th floor of the Austonian Residences in the heart of downtown Austin! On Thursday, March 30, KOV delegates from around the country joined in the fun with an event that was part of the Austin chapter’s 2023 schedule. From this lofty perch, partygoers had a panoramic view of the rest of the downtown skyline and Lady Bird Lake.

Debbie Fogarty, Chancellery; Janet Hamilton, Los Angeles; Claudia Siegel, Chancellery and Trish Hagner, KOV Executive Director

After making certain that everyone had wine in hand, Austin Chapter Commander Randy Groves addressed the assembled crowd with a warm Texas welcome. He then introduced Angela Woodard with William Chris Wines. She gave us a little history including the fact that the winery was founded in 2008 by William "Bill" Blackmon and Chris Brundrett in Hye, Texas … in the middle of the Texas Hill Country wine region. WCW has since expanded to six different brands of wines sourced entirely in Texas and was named the 56th best vineyard by World’s Best Vineyards; the first Texas winery to be ranked in this world-wide list.

As the sun was setting over the hills to the west, KOV delegates from other cities mingled with Austin mem-

Buddy Hagner with Randy & Deborah Groves

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Gordon MacKay, Master Commander, Lodi; Walter Rachelle, Nation’s Capital; Annette McKay, Lodi

Outstanding wines from Lost Draw and William Chris were served

Jim Bushee and Jan Burrow, Austin

Cindy Stone, Curby Conoley and Faith Roberts, Austin

William Denigris and Larry Jacobs, Austin Randy Groves, Master Commander, Austin International Emissary Pat Pingitore, San Francisco; Claudia Siegel and Steve Siegel, Chancellery

Deborah Groves and Dr.Wyn Speir, Austin Summer/Fall 2023

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1 Aileen and Leonard Quam, Austin 2 Allan Williams and Eddie Butler, Austin 3 Jo Carol Snowden and Allen Kemp, Austin 4 John and Marcy Melanson, Austin

bers and had a fine time making acquaintances and exchanging opinions about the stellar wines from both Lost Draw and William Chris that were being served. A sumptuous buffet prepared by Austin Catering was laid out and the crowd sampled the excellent food.

Conversational topics ranged from plans for summer vacations to graduation trips to opinions about restaurants from coast to coast. It was a fun and exciting time to be part of Knights of the Vine and enjoy great camaraderie.

Spring Party Wine Selections 2022 Pinot Meunier Sparkling Rosé – Lost Draw 2022 Mary Ruth – William Chris 2022 Tempranillo – Lost Draw 2019 Hunter – William Chris The Menu Two-bite “Hot & Crunchy Avocado” Tacos Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs Grilled Quesadilla Bar Mini Carne Asada Tortas Stuffed Avocados Mexican Street Corn Grilled Vegetables Churro-Chocolate Chunk Blondies Tres Leches Shooters Key Lime Tartlets

4 National Officers hard at work

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS!

BY TRISH HAGNER

Delegates and some of our members, all of whom are always welcome to attend, gathered in the Barrel Room at Fall Creek Winery on Friday morning, March 31 for the Annual Meeting. Nineteen delegates were present and one chapter was represented by proxy as the meeting was called to order by Grand Commander Buddy Hagner. National officers made their reports and the floor was open for questions. Then it was time for chapters to make their reports. It’s especially pleasing for the chapters to share ideas about events … some that worked, some that didn’t … and to hear how busy all our chapters are! Truly great ideas come out of these exchanges!

Sometimes the ideas are procedural … how to make things run smoother, new payment or communications methods, etc. One suggestion / request was that chapters share their Assemblage scripts so other chapters might “borrow” ideas to keep things fresh. Another request was that we share more in The Arbor and online about KOV giving! A number of chapters fund scholarships and everyone is interested in hearing more about this worthy effort.

Next up were some proposed amendments to the national bylaws. First was the matter of our name. There has often been confusion over the “brotherhood” portion when, in fact, our bylaws refer to our organization

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Buddy Hagner, Susan Auler, Jerry Gatlin

as an “order” more often and it is more welcoming. This proposal was passed and our website and communications have been updated to reflect our name as The Order of the Knights of the Vine.

Amendment number 2 was to clarify the date to use to determine the number of delegates each chapter would be allocated for voting purposes. Allocation is based on the chapter’s number of members. It was proposed that it would be determined by the number of members in good standing on December 31 of the immediately preceding year. This amendment also passed.

Amendment number 3 was to reduce the number of members of the Grand Council to six; removing the position of Senior Grand Vice Commander. This position has been vacant for a number of years and was determined to no longer be necessary. Motion passed.

The next order of business was the election of directors.

Jerry Gatlin, Rich Kehoe and Pat Pingitore were all re-elected by acclamation and we thank them for their service to the Order.

After thanking our hosts, Susan and Ed Auler, the meeting was adjourned and everyone was welcomed into the Fall Creek Tasting Room for some amazing wines...and many bought wines to take home and to share over the lunch that followed at the famous Salt Lick Barbeque.

And what a fabulous lunch it was! We had an area all to ourselves and our servers just kept bringing more of everything until we said STOP! It was amazing! A number of members from across the country traveled to Austin to join in our National Meeting activities even though they chose not to attend the Delegates Meeting. It was wonderful to have such a fun group as we ate family style on picnic tables. We are not sure who it might have been, but while we were there someone arrived by helicopter to catch some of this world famous food! continued >>>

Fabulous BBQ Lunch

Chapter Delegates

Summer/Fall 2023

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2 0 2 3 A N N UA L M E E T I N G R E P O RT

Boat& Bats

Party Ends 2023 Annual Meeting Story by Forrest Preece, Master Scribe, Austin Chapter Photographs by Robert Jones

After the Delegates Meeting ended and many had enjoyed lunch and winery visits around the Texas Hill Country, visitors were entertained with a scenic boat trip around Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. Fifty people, including 23 Delegates from around the country, plus members from the Austin chapter, set out for an evening cruise.

The cruise began with a talk by Supreme Knight Ed Auler who, together with his wife Susan, founded Fall Creek Vineyards in 1975 as the first winery in the Texas Hill Country. He regaled the delegates with a brief history of the wine industry in Texas which dates to the 1650s when Franciscan priests planted grapes more than 100 years before plantings in California. Two wines from Fall Creek Vineyards were served at the party. Glena Yates introduced the group to Ron Yates Wines which includes two Hill Country wineries. Also featured that evening were sparkling wines from Heath, part of the Grape Creek family of Hill Country wineries.

Then a Mexican food buffet was served, featuring tortilla chips, guacamole, queso, rice, beans, fajitas, and cookies. A carefully curated selection of six wines from our featured wineries accompanied dinner much to the partiers’ delight.

The boat riders were thrilled with the dramatic skyline of downtown Austin as they floated past, and the balmy weather added to the enjoyment. The boat traveled east from the dock near the Hyatt Regency to the Longhorn Dam and then circled back for a sighting of the legendary bat flight from the largest urban bat colony in the world underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. The bats performed right on schedule and in perfect formation!

Austin Master Commander Randy Groves reflected on a successful National Delegates meeting enjoyed by all. “Thursday evening we had a party atop one of our

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Jim and Lulu Curtice, Houston

Master Commander John & Adrienne Boothby, Gulf Coast

Margaret Lewicki & Master Commander Ernie Grossman, Lake Tahoe

Riverboat Party Wine Selections 2019 Euphoria – Heath 2020 Adoration – Heath 2019 Chardonnay Certenberg Vineyards Terroir Reflection – Fall Creek Vineyards 2019 GSM Salt Lick Vineyards Terroir Reflection – Fall Creek Vineyards 2019 Friesen Tempranillo – Ron Yates 2018 Amalgamation – Ron Yates

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Walter Rachele, Nation’s Capital, Lisa Tillis, Master Commander Jeff Price, and Holly Tillis, North Carolina

Kelley and Travis Lightfoot, Austin

downtown’s tallest towers. Friday morning, the Aulers hosted the Delegates meeting in the Barrel Room at Fall Creek Vineyards concluding with a wine tasting. The delegates then enjoyed a barbecue lunch across the street at the world-famous Salt Lick and delegates were then free to tour nearby Driftwood wineries before joining the boat party complete with Mexican food and flights by the bats. To top it off, the weather was perfect! We are pleased that our guests were able to enjoy our beautiful city and get introduced to Texas wines while making new friends as well.”

Supreme Lady Susan Auler, Glena Yates, Supreme Knight Ed Auler

Claudia Siegel, Chancellery; Grand Administrative Officer Tom and Beth Webb,Tennessee

Summer/Fall 2023

Janet Hamilton, Los Angeles and Debbie Fogarty, Chancellery

Grand Treasurer Jerry Gatlin and Master Commander Randy Groves, Austin

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Weathering the Weather

by Tom McGurn, Monterey Chapter

Monterey

Water was the dominate topic of discussion on the Monterey Peninsula as 2022 turned into 2023. Record amounts of rain were welcomed in drought plagued California. In-between showers, the Monterey Chapter of the Knights of the Vine had a robust calendar of gatherings focused on wine, food and friends.

The Grand Assemblage in February featured an exquisite multi course dinner at the Club at Pasadera.

Eric Wente, whose family has been growing grapes and producing wines in California since 1908, was elevated to Supreme Knight. Five generations of the Wente family are currently active in the business that includes the historic site in the Livermore Valley and vineyards in the Arroyo Seco area of Monterey County. Supreme Knight Wente treated the Assemblage guests to several of his wines including the wonderful “Nth Degree” Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Assemblage inducted Anne Gennett, Natasha and Todd Palmaer and Scott Prysi as new members. Tom McGurn was elevated to the Cadre.

TOP RIGHT Host & Pizzaiolo – Peter Tansill & Rich Kehoe ABOVE Eric Wente and Rich Kehoe RIGHT Mike Manzoni, owner of Manzoni Vineyard

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Friday Knight Flights returned as a mainstay on the chapter’s social calendar. Members and their guests enjoyed a variety of wines and remarks from vintners Dan McDonnal and Mike Manzoni when we visited the De Tierra and Manzoni tasting rooms in Carmel.

In May, Master Commander Richard Kehoe and his wife Rachael opened their home to a gathering of thirty members and member prospects. Members provided a tasty array of hors d’oeuvres and a nice variety of wines were offered. Cadre members Colleen Manni-Dutertre and Tom McGurn shared how they became involved in KOV and the benefits of membership. Seven guests joined or renewed their chapter membership following the event.

Summer/Fall 2023

As summer arrived, there were two outdoor events.

An afternoon of homemade pizzas and Italian wines was a sell-out for the second consecutive year. Peter Tansill once again delighted the participants with the delicious crusts and a great variety of toppings which emerged from his backyard oven. The second gathering featured Jeffery Birkemeier, owner of Amapola Kitchen in Salinas who is also a member of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He offered his knowledge of all things wine during a casual luncheon at Cadre Member Tony Singer’s hilltop home overlooking Carmel Valley.

BELOW LEFT New members Todd and Natasha Palmaer and Dr. Scott Prysi BELOW RIGHT Ernie Scalberg and his No Name Band at the Assemblage BOTTOM OF PAGE members and guests enjoying the assemblage

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In Memoriam AL SCHEID (1932-2023)

We were sad to learn of the passing of Supreme Knight Al Scheid on March 31, 2023. He was a member of the Monterey Peninsula Chapter of KOV since November 1989. He was the founder and chairman of the board of Scheid Family Wines and the father of Supreme Knight Scott Scheid. From humble beginnings to an extraordinary life, Al was so much more than just the man we knew of through wine.

He wrote about his life in his memoir, “Breaking Out of Beerport” (available on Amazon) which shares an almost unbelievable story of growing up during the Depression in Al Scheid with son Scott Bridgeport, Ohio to ultimate success in the wine business in California. By his own account, he was a poor student who loved to read and that love of reading opened up a world of possibilities.

After a stint in the U. S. Navy where he was stationed at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station in southern California during the Korean War, he attended several colleges, finally earning his MBA from Harvard Business School. After Harvard, he returned to California and joined E. F. Hutton & Company, however, he soon found that corporate structure constraining and ventured out in the 1960s to become what was known as a “deal man”.

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With a combination of street smarts, innate intelligence, and sheer nerve, he was instrumental in closing numerous deals across many industries.

Al went on to found two successful biotechnology companies as well as Scheid Family Wines in 1972.

Although he knew little about wine, he became a pioneer in the Monterey grape growing region, an industry leader, and an ardent supporter of wines from California. He was a founder of California Association of Winegrape Growers in 1974, serving as chairman and longtime board member. He was named its Leader of the Year in 2017. Scheid Family Wines has evolved from a grape grower to a wine company producing close to one million cases of wine annually and is ranked among the top 25 largest wine producers in California. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and is still a family-run business with Scott and Heidi Scheid at the helm.

Al will be remembered as a highly intelligent, honest and generous man with a quick wit and incredible memory and, most certainly as a friend of KOV. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Gladden Scheid; four children, Scott, Heidi, Emily, and Tyle; two stepchildren, Mike and Kim and 14 grandchildren.

Cheers to a life well-lived!

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As the evening progressed, the wine flowed and everyone was invited to join our Italian host singing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin songs!

It was a sunny June 17th, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, when we spotted a lovely blonde from our favorite winery, Macchia Winery of Lodi, CA, making the long drive to Dana Point. Tanya McMahon, GM of Macchia, arrived at the beautiful home of Knight Ron and Gentle Lady Maureen Nath to allow our members to appreciate, learn, and enjoy these wonderful masterpieces.

for us to try. This year was no exception as we enjoyed approximately 10 varietals. Along with the wines, guests were treated to a dinner from our favorite BBQ restaurant, Bad to the Bone . We were up to our elbows in baby back ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and dessert ... so much so that many went home with leftovers.

Tanya has visited our Chapter a number of times over the years and always brings a variety of wines

Summer/Fall 2023

The evening was a great success and so that we could each replicate the fun, everyone left with fond memories and all the recipes for the dishes prepared so generously for us.

It was a wonderful day and we thank Tanya for making the journey and sharing Macchia’s delicious wines with us.

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Orange County

On April 18th, the Orange County Chapter again journeyed to QUATTRO CAFFÉ located in South Coast Plaza Mall to enjoy an evening of great food, wine, and fellowship. The evening commenced with a welcoming wine and continued to a cooking class featuring members making each course to be served. Each course featured two new members making a dish from scratch with the guidance of the resident chef and host.

From a WET WINTER to a BACK YARD BBQ

Lodi

2023 in the Lodi area began with a wet winter, piles of snow in the Sierras, and continued with relatively cool temperatures well into the spring. This odd weather did not deter the activities of the Lodi Chapter, which have been hot, hot, hot!

After taking our usual January break the first event of the year, as it has been for the past few years, was a casual bring an appetizer and a bottle of wine to share AKA Cellar Reduction event at the home of Master Commander Emeritus Ken Levy and Knight Sandy Levy.

This event is also the official Chapter Annual Meeting where the assembled members consider and vote on the proposed candidates for election to the Board/Cadre and any other business that is on the agenda. As with past years, this was a quick and efficient meeting as everyone was eager to get back to the food and wine, which was plentiful and delicious.

March was our first Lodi KOV Wine Club event of the year, and our first visit to Lodi Crush.

This is a new custom crush operation that had its grand opening in January. Despite the wind and rain storm that was pelting down

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By Gordon MacKay

that evening, several dozen members braved the weather to check out the facility and try the wines. The owner and winemaker, newly inducted Master Knight Gerardo Espinosa, led us through a tasting of wines from his Anaya label as well as several other labels that are produced at Lodi Crush. The wines were lovely, the tasting room was spacious and comfortable, and as usual, the company was superb. If you find yourself in Lodi, check out Lodi Crush.

April saw the return of the extremely popular food and wine pairing event with the Lodi Amateur Vintner’s Association (LAVA). LAVA is a serious wine making club with many members producing high-quality, award-winning wines. Several one-time LAVA members have gone on to “turn pro” and are now part of our local stable of commercial winemakers.

For this event, LAVA members volunteer to provide a wine or two to be served with dishes prepared

by KOV members. Sample wines were provided in advance so that the chefs could dream up an ideal food combination. The wines were varied and unique, including varietals such as Chardonnay, Viognier, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel

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And finally, in June we had our annual Backyard BBQ, hosted by Bob and Janet Smith. By this point normal weather had returned, and we had a beautiful outdoor event on the Smith property. Once again, the grill masters of the Lodi Chapter outdid themselves with perfectly prepared beef tenderloin topped with shrimp and other delicious accompaniments. As always, the highlight of the event was the wine raffle. This is a unique Lodi event – attendees are required to bring a bottle of wine to contribute to the raffle, and then of course everyone is expected to buy raffle tickets in the hopes of winning a 6-pack of some of the donated wines.

Who knows, they might even win their own wine back!

It is always good fun, and creates some healthy competition and trash talking between tables depending on who is winning. Who doesn’t love to win wine?

and even Dornfelder. And of course, the food pairing was just as varied. Needless to say this is a huge effort and we are indebted to the winemakers and chefs who volunteered their time to prepare and serve the wine and food. Over 125 KOV and LAVA members attended the event and sampled their way through the ten tables, renewing old acquaintances and making new friends as they navigated the offerings. Once again, a special thanks goes to Knights Larry and Teri Lawrence of Viaggio Winery for providing the use of their beautiful grounds to hold this event.

Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings.

May was Assemblage Month! We had originally planned to hold the Assemblage in March, but it was moved to May due to the availability of our desired venue, the Women’s Club of Lodi. Alas, in late March during an extreme rainfall event (see note above regarding odd weather) the roof of the Women’s Club caved, causing extreme distress to event organizer Mike Johnston. After pursuing multiple alternatives, we eventually decided to hold the event at the Master Commander’s house just outside of Woodbridge, known as Wine Crest. The ceremony inducting 11 new Knights was held poolside with our Chapter Cadre plus Grand Commander Buddy Hagner and Chancellery Master Commander Chik Brenneman to add expert assistance. After the ceremony we quickly moved inside the house (it was quite cold, see note above about odd weather) to enjoy a feast paired with some wonderful wines. All in all, it was a very successful event despite all the last-minute changes and anxiety.

Summer/Fall 2023

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A BANNER YEAR After Two Years Break Los Angeles Holds Grand Assemblage

by Cathie Sandstrom Smith

Los Angeles

After two years of hiatus, our 2023 Assemblage was held February 11 at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

Always a treasured event, we celebrated our new members which included retiring Executive Chef Pierangelo Ramponi who is one of our favorite chefs. We have been graced to enjoy many splendid meals at past Assemblages.

Guests sipped white wine before the ceremonies, and then the magic started with the procession of our capped and caped cadre. Joining our cadre were very special guests Grand Commander Buddy Hagner and KOV Executive Director Trish Hagner. Commander Jim Hamilton and his cadre inducted three new members: Gentle Lady Roberta Hagopian, who grew up in Central California in a large family of grape growers. She comes to us after a long and successful career in Federal Law Enforcement. In her retirement, she volunteers for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association and serves on the bond oversight committee for Glendale Community College.

Knight Rasha Drachkovitch is co-CEO of 44 Blue Productions – a television production company he co-founded with his wife Stephanie in 1984. Over the past four decades, Rasha has produced over 150 non-scripted television series for 40 networks, totaling over 2,000 hours of programming. Rasha also comes from a wine family in South Australia’s Barossa Valley

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TOP OF PAGE Cadre with Chef Pierangelo Ramponi ABOVE Randy Witt, Cmdr. Jim Hamilton, and Cathie Sandstrom

where his father George became a world-renowned enologist. Later, George and Jelena moved to the Napa Valley where they created their own Gold Medal wines under the Fairmont Label.

Knight and Executive Chef Pierangelo Ramponi was raised on a farm in Armeno, Italy, a town of about 2,000. His working life started at 14, when he followed his father to a hotel on the French border where they worked together. In 1975 he boarded a Princess cruise ship, where he was chef for two years before being persuaded by a friend from his hometown to travel to America, where he first worked at Disney hotels. He’s

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Susan Hunt, Cathie Sandstrom and Mary Lotz

had his own successful restaurant, and then came Oakmont Country Club, where he’s been Head Chef for the last 16 years. He’s brought a note of color and flair, riding his red Vespa around Glendale. There was something about the box of lobsters that fell off the back of it…we didn’t get the full story. Yet!

New members enjoying the Assemblage

After our ceremony, chapter members and their guests toasted our newest members with champagne before enjoying a memorable dinner. We’re sharing the menu here. The wines and courses were all perfectly paired, thanks to Chef Ramponi and our own Vice Commander Janet Hamilton.

Acoustic Guitarist David Platt provided music to add to the ambience. He plays everything from Latin jazz to country to the whole American songbook to the Beatles.

It’s hard not to put down your fork and sing along!

An Invitation too Good to Pass Up! San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Commander Pat Pingitore’s acquaintance with Nicole Rolet, founder and CEO of Chêne Bleu, brought the LA Chapter an opportunity to join a Wine Dinner and Tasting held at Tesse, a popular French restaurant on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.

Tesse welcomed back Nicole Sierra-Rolet, by hosting a tasting and dinner on July 21st. We enjoyed some of the very best and most highly regardNicole Rolet presents her wines ed wines from the Rhone Valley, which are also certified organic, bee friendly and sustainably produced. The reviews speak for themselves: “The World's First Super Rhone” - Wall Street Journal; “Birth of a Grand Cru” Michael Bettane; “The wines are exceptional” - Decanter.

Chêne Bleu focuses on handmade wines of the utmost natural purity. They are produced in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere bursting with biodiversity, including 1400 species of butterflies. They have been referred to as “couture” wines, to reflect the Rolet family's philosophy of excontinued >>>

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LOS ANGELES CHAPTER CONT’D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Nicole Rolet speaks at sunset on the patio at Tesse

treme dedication, atypical mineral soils, chemical- and additive-free practices, low yields and handpicking. As such they straddle tradition and cutting-edge practices and have become critics' and collectors' darlings.

Editor’s Note: For more information about Nicole Rolet

Many of our members were traveling, but Commander Jim Hamilton, Vice Commander Janet Hamilton, Master Historian Cathie Sandstrom, Karen Vales, Beverly Scott and Thom Cooney Crawford represented KOV ’s LA Chapter. The dinner was held on a surprisingly large and airy patio. The experience was sublime! Thanks for sharing, Pat!

www.kov.org

and Chêne Bleu, please see the great article “Romancing the Rhone” by Rose Betty Williams that appeared in the 2020 Fall/Winter issue of The Arbor. Available online at

FAR LEFT Chêne Bleu's Nicole Rolet FRONT ROW in tastevins, Beverly Scott,Vice Commander Janet Hamilton and Cathie Sandstrom CENTER BACK Commander Jim Hamilton

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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS ECLIPSE ILLUMINED

Los Angeles Master Historian Cathie Sandstrom Smith has collaborated with painter, sculptor Thom Cooney Crawford on a book that is a dialog between these two poets and Cooney Crawford’s 17 paintings, “Eclipsed Faces.” Their Eclipse Illumined is described by nationally known poets Dorothy Barresi and David St. John. Barresi says. “Eclipse Illumined is a book of soul-making, a book of uncommon prayer shaped from the elements of everyday life.” St. John describes it as “an exquisite meditation of Rilkean resonance.”

table size book are sure to bring many smiles as you get to know and admire John and Gail. Available on the internet and through Ironstone Vineyards.

GARY EBERLE AWARD

At a Dinner in the Vineyard on Saturday, July 15, Grand Commander Buddy Hagner and Orange County Master Commander Tom McCrystal presented an award to Supreme Knight Gary Eberle. Gary is the founder of Eberle Winery in Paso Robles, California and is well-known for his hospitality and his generosity.

A KOV member since 1995, the plaque reads In Appreciation of Sharing Time, Talent & Treasure . No truer words were ever spoken and as additional evidence of that, be sure to check out the discount offered on Eberle wines in our Friends of KOV section.

Published by Tebot Bach, it is available at Small Press Distributors (spd.org), Barnes & Nobles, and from the artist Thom@thomcooneycrawford.com. Sandstrom’s work is online at the Academy of American Poets, www.poets.org.

KAUTZ

The amazing story of Supreme Knights John and Gail Kautz and Ironstone Vineyards written by renowned American historian Kevin Starr is beautifully detailed in their book Kautz: A Story of Family and Farm in California. As it says on the cover, this is a story that covers “three generations, a stirring tale of immigration, hard work and innovation that is the heart of Ironstone”. The reader will be surprised by what it took for this to all come together and the pictures in this coffee

MEMBERS IN Summer/Fall 2023

The

Dragonfly

EXPERIENCE!

Lake Tahoe

An Extraordinary Evening with Billy McCullough

By Veronica Rollman Kaufman

Saturday, May 6, 2023 will be remembered by all of us privileged to be at the home of Master Commander Ernie Grossman and Master Lady Margaret Lewicki as one of the truly extraordinary KOV dinners in our chapter’s history. Not even a snowstorm could keep us away!

For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of dining at Billy McCullough’s former restaurant, Dragonfly, in Truckee, California, we can only hope that at some point you will be able to enjoy his incredible talents as a chef; talents that are accompanied by a charming personality, enthusiasm, and commitment to community.

With wines shared from the cellar of Ernie and Margaret, our member/expert/sommelier Sudsy Torbeck shared her insights and descriptions of the various wines in a way that was not only truly informative, but also filled with warmth, humor and an obvious love of the wines.

So, now to the menu! At 5 p.m. sharp (clearly no one wanted to miss a moment of this spectacular evening), Billy and his longtime assistant, David, prepared a cured pork tenderloin roulade with sweet and sour eggplant accompanied by 2001 Pontet-Canet Pauillac (Bordeaux). Not long afterward, we socialized with Taittinger Champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres of Dungeness crab toast with tarragon, avocado and lemon aioli as well as wild mushroom spring rolls with hoisin-Chinese mustard dip.

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A plated dinner followed for thirty-two appreciative members and guests. Our reward was an amazing dinner that began with Muscovy duck breast prosciutto salad with asparagus, fig, Laura Chenel goat cheese and frisée dressed with a balsamic glaze. This course was accompanied by 2020 Vietti Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne.

Next, we were treated to a lovely dish of seared sea scallops and rosemary-orange glazed short rib ragout with black garlic-cauliflower mashers and watercress paired with 2019 Domaine du Terme Gigondas. Billy McCullough explained the process of achieving “black” garlic and discussed the source of his choice, Great Hill Dairy in Marion, Massachusetts which was quite enlightening.

Port-poached Bosc pear with chocolate cake and Great Hill Blue cheese accompanied by Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedes 2010 Vintage Port was the perfect dessert choice to complement this wonderful meal.

Very special thanks and appreciation to Master Lady and Chargée d’Affaires, Stephanie Harris, who organized and shepherded this truly memorable evening. We would be remiss if we didn’t extend an additional special thanks to Kristen and Warren who did such a marvelous job of serving. Many of us know Kristen from the Northstar Ritz Carlton and were so pleased to see her and her husband, Warren.

With any luck, another evening with Billy McCullough and his team will be repeated….maybe even without yet another snowstorm?

Olive Oils of Italy A Wine Luncheon presented by

Ladies of the Knight

By Stephanie Harris

The setting: It was June 24 in the beautiful gardens at the home of Gentle Lady Kim and Ed MacBeth on the Sierra westerly slope overlooking the Reno Valley.

The program: presented by our own Gentle Lady Kathy Scopin. Kathy is an olive oil aficionado and enthusiast. She began her olive oil education and journey serving as an apprentice at the University of California Davis, Olive Oil Center as a taster. For nearly 30 years Kathy continued her love affair with olive oil traveling to Italy to taste some of the best olive oils in the world.

Kathy led us in an olive oil tasting and education with some of the best olive oils available.

The luncheon: prepared and presented by Vice Commander, Master Lady Stephanie Harris.

The wines: wonderfully paired by Sommelier Master Lady Claire Torbeck.

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Summer/Fall 2023

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LAKE TAHOE CHAPTER CONT’D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Annual Meeting and Conference of Delegates in Austin, Texas

By Commander Ernie Grossman

Attending the annual Conference of Delegate is always exciting and pleasurable. We get to visit with old friends separated by distance and time and the hosting Chapter introduces us to the best non-tourist attractions in the region. The folks in Austin were so gracious. A penthouse reception, winery visits and tastings, sampling the famous regional barbecue, a river dinner cruise and a view of the legendary evening bat migration were all part of what made this annual event so special.

See it; Smell it; Savor it; Score it. The four mustdos for a tasting. Demonstrating mild to mid to strong flavors, Kathy showed us, like wine, how we should experience the varying characteristics of the olive.

Herbaceous, mint, ripe apple, buttery, tropical, black pepper, woody, and cherry, are just some of the tasting notes. In our tasting we traveled from Sicily and the olive Giarraffa to Molise and the olive Peranzana finishing in Liguria and the oliveTaggiasca.

For Margaret and me, the exciting addition was the national meeting’s proximity so close to San Antonio. I know that the primary attraction is its famous River Walk, but for us it was the reunion with two dear old friends of ours and KOV, Doctor Duane Young (General, Retired, US Air Force) and his beautiful wife, Peggy (a published author of mystery stories). Duane’s history with KOV goes way back to his enthronement by then Grand Commander Norman Gates and as the first Master Commander of the Los Angeles Chapter. In the early part of this century, Duane and Peggy joined our Lake Tahoe Chapter and remain members to this day. To know them is to love them.

Lunch was a three-course meal that began with an arugula salad with a homemade olive oil/lemon dressing topped with fresh parmesan shavings paired with 2021 Pieropan Soave Classico. Next was a delightfully fresh lemon spaghetti served with olive oil rubbed grilled salmon paired with 2019 Duboeuf Fleurie. The finale was a olive oil citrus cake paired perfectly with 2020 Herman J.Wiemer Semi-Dry Riesling.

The decision: it was unanimously determined that the afternoon was a big success!

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Walter & Pat’s Excellent Adventure: 2023 International Pinot Noir Celebration

By Claire Cuccio

Master Knight Walter Rachele and Pat Valas from the Nation’s Capital Chapter attended the 2023 International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) in McMinnville, Oregon. The celebration dates back to 1987 and unites Pinot Noir producers, journalists, chefs, foodies, and Pinot Noir fans for a weekend of tasting, dining, learning and just plain celebrating this noble grape. Walter said, “Sommeliers from around the country ‘compete’ for a chance to serve at this event. They get to pour from the extensive IPNC cellar, acquired over the last 30 years and housed safely at a local Trappist Monastery.”

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Nation’s Capital

The IPNC spans three days: Friday, Saturday and ends with a Sunday brunch. The attendees are divided in half and the events on Friday and Saturday are swapped for each group. For Walter and Pat, Friday morning was a Grand Seminar with various Pinot Noir-related speakers and moderators rotating every hour. This year’s theme was “Sustainability for the Future.” The Grand Emcees were Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, American Journalists (Wall Street Journal), authors and wine critics who also happen to be married to each other. Friday afternoon features included one of eight seminars called the University of Pinot with topics ranging from sustainability, red wine with fish, climate change and even basketball – with all sessions tying back to Pinot Noir.

On Saturday, participants traveled on a mystery trip to one of several vineyards in the Willamette Valley for a tour, tasting and small format seminar with featured winemakers. There are over 700 vineyards (736 at last count). Of the wineries chosen to be “featured” at IPNC, 12 are chosen to host lunch (6 each day). Pat mused, “I think what I like best is how IPNC creates small groups where you get to talk with many wine makers one on one – even though there are 500+ people attending.”

The food is incredible, prepared by northwest chefs and includes Breakfast on the Patio, Lunch on the Lawn, a Winery Lunch, the Grand Dinner, the famous cedar plank Salmon Bake and the Sunday Sparkling Brunch.

Both afternoons before dinner, there were Alfresco Tastings of more than 30 (each day) Pinot Noir producers from around the world. For the salmon bake, tickets were sold to locals, many of whom although not attending the weekend conference, could join in for this extravaganza. Pat recalls, “the number of people attending had to be close to 1000...there was a ton of good food - salmon, beef, pork as well as many gourmet sides and desserts...all served buffet style. The sommeliers kept the wine flowing making it is easy to see how this can become a Bacchanalian event.”

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Some notable highlights from their trip Pre-gaming in the few days leading up to the event at Domaine Drouhin (an old favorite), Flaneur (a new favorite), Argyle and Shea (old favorites), Domaine Willamette (the valley’s newest site) – be sure to try the truffle fries paired with the Brut Rosé, Bethel Heights (where we are always treated like family) and Will Hamilton, a private producer who welcomed us into his home and introduced us to his wine, Violin.

Spending time with our Oregon Wine Brotherhood friends, Dave and Sandy Shulthies and Denis Burger and Elaine McCall, who were also at the Portugal FICB. Denis owns Yamhill Valley Winery and was one of the featured winemakers. Walt gushed, “we were able to taste some Oregon history!” as Denis poured his 1983 Pinot which won the Burgundy Challenge of 1983. Pat shared, “it was bottled under the Veritas label because he did not have a label of his own at the time. It was pretty amazing that it still had fruit (cranberry) and structure and was nicely balanced. The fact that he shared it was indeed special.” He also shared his 1987 vintage, from the first year of the IPNC and according to Pat, it was “also good in an interesting way, but very much more tertiary than the 1983.”

The Saturday mystery trip was to Résonance Winery, Louis Jadot’s Oregon acquisition, “Oregon Soil, French Soul.” The guest chef was John Conlin of Tercet, in Portland, Oregon. The welcoming appetizers were delightful – kippered black cod, cheese tartlets with sauerkraut and chive and an exquisite white gazpacho with violets on top, paired with Résonance’s 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé. The lunch began with a spot prawn with tomato and sweet corn served with the 2021 Découverte Vi n e y a rd C h a rd o n nay. It was followed by a delectable pork loin with vine beans and sour cherry jus with the 2019 Découvert Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Summer/Fall 2023

For dessert, a blue fruit trifle with black olive cake and lavender accompanied by the 2017 Résonance Vineyard Pinot Noir. Besides an amazing wine and food pairing for lunch, an added bonus was sitting across from the winemaker from Ruby Vineyard & Winery who arranged a special tasting for them on their way back to Portland. It’s those unexpected special connections that make the IPNC so unique.

Visiting the Ruby Vineyard & Winery. Pat said, “we were treated like royalty, even having the owner come out and pour us her wine (Flora’s) and tell us the story of why the plot of grapes is ‘hers’ and only goes into ‘her’ wine.’ This is very different from her husband, Steve’s wine.” A great story that you can find out if you stop

by Ruby Vineyard & Winery when passing through Hillsboro, Oregon on your way to the IPNC next year.

Pat and Walter have been attending the IPNC since around 2010 and make plans to go every other year since the organizers normally feature two vintages every year. With the vintages overlapping, they do not miss a vintage! For example, one year the wines featured were 2013 and 2014, then the next year 2014 and 2015 so the every other year plan is perfect!

Walt said, “it’s like being Lewis and Clark. We bring back Oregon Pinots, Chardonnays and sometimes bubbles to share with the Nation’s Capital Chapter for our Thomas Jefferson Dinners or other tastings. As explorers of the Pacific Northwest, we have brought other chapter members along on our quests for great wines.”

Thanks Pat and Walter for sharing great wines and your adventures!

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GoOD TimEs

on the

gUlF CoAsT! As the 2023 year began here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast our chapter was donning the attire typical for this time of year….Mardi Gras! Come January and February there is no shortage of parties, parades and costumes galore down south. During the height of the Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler holiday, we gathered for Winedown Wednesday in costumes, crowns and festive attire to raise a toast to the Kings, Queens, Dukes and Maids of the season. The fellowship shown to all who attended was nothing short of the best in southern hospitality, and as we honored Bacchus with our toast and cheers, the wine flowed all evening long.

JJ Dutchover & Rick McMurtry

When April rolled around, after all the festivities of Mardi Gras had died down, our chapter had grown by 11 distinguished new members from the community who were welcomed during the enthronement at our

Story & Photos by: George Mitchell & Adrienne Boothby

Member Carolyn Suarez & guests 26

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Starr, Jamie, John, Donna & Susan

Chris, Mike, John & Rich

King Rich Figer & Duke John Boothby

Assemblage festivities. Held at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino located in Biloxi, our Knights looked quite polished in their black tie and gowns, and our highest standards were upheld. The ambiance of the ceremonial hall was a perfect setting for the evening. Commander John Boothby and Master of Ceremonies Joff Clarke did another fantastic job of vetting our candidates in our time-honored tradition. Sparkling wine and exceptional appetizers were served after the ceremony and during Intermezzo as handshakes and congratulatory toasts took place to acknowledge the newly knighted. Culinary skills of the Beau Rivage were on full display for dinner; from the succulent lamb chops to the creamy risotto, each dish was on full artistic culinary display arranged perfectly on each plate. The wine selections >>>

Dallas Kelly & Nicole Nezat

Summer/Fall 2023

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GULF COAST CHAPTER CONT’D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Brooke, Nicole, Adrienne, Nadiya, Lisa Tania & Tony Rizk

Wendy & Rich Figer

Mark Sedgwick & Shahira Hanna

to pair were spot on as Sommelier Mark Warren spoke of a favorite by many being poured…Coquerel’s Cabernet Sauvignon from California. The combination of fellowship, humor, great venue, excellent food and quality wine created an evening that will be remembered by all who attended.

As May arrived and with the temperatures warming, everyone was ready to get out in the beautiful weather. It was time for our annual celebration … the Kentucky Derby. Our chapter traveled to the beloved French Quarter of New Orleans in their Kentucky Derby best to take part in the festivities of horse race watching, Mint Julep drinking and wagering. As we started our day, we gathered at Antoine’s Restaurant where we were fortunate to have a private room with a balcony overlooking the French Quarter streets so, of course, entertainment was part of the experience. After lunch we moved to the beloved wine bar, Patrick’s Bar Vin, where we were hosted for race day celebrations, $10 Mint Juleps that were sure to please a crowd and a hat contest that paid out winners in large Kentucky Derby printed bottles of Woodford Reserve. Although knights and gentle ladies were all sporting creative headwear, it was the ladies who won for the best-looking hats! And to top off the day, our Cork Pull big winner was Gentle Lady Donna Krentel who took home a winning $400 pay out. Giddy-up!

Jim & Maggie Clarkson Hanna

Rod & Donna Krentel

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Mike, Rod, Barbara & Jonathan Fleming

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Barbara & Adrienne Derby Darlins Chuck & Ashley, Jonathan & Barbara

Mike & Sheryl

Donna Krentel BIG WINNER!!

As summer appeared and members got ready to travel for the season, we get ready to say goodbye for a few hot months. This goodbye was sweet as we gathered in a classroom setting at the Ohr O’Keefe Museum. (For those who know architecture, this campus is a Frank Geary project.) A teaching by Sommelier Mark Warren about What You Are Tasting and Why? is the perfect way to expand our knowledge before so many members begin their varied travels. Learning about the impact of the soil in the vineyards, aromas that you smell within your glass and how to better distinguish what you are tasting are all elements of this class. Wines from South Africa were the spotlight of the evening with a charcuterie board from local Trinity Café that provided a great pairing to nibble while becoming more knowledgeable about what we’re enjoying in each glass of wine we taste.

Teresa, Sheryl, Ashley, Randall Sommelier Mark Warren

And although we are struggling to coming to terms with the fact that summer is almost over, we look forward to our reunion and the opportunity to raise a glass, celebrate summer and share tales of our many travels … which, no doubt, will include adventures in new wine we discovered amongst our travels abroad…definitely something that we all look forward to!

Summer/Fall 2023

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Tennessee

Running for the

Rosés and

Mint Juleps

Sandy Barrios, Angie Lenschau, Robert Meyers, John Barrios, Holly Elkins

The Tennessee Chapter celebrated the new year with our annual Feast of St. Vincent Assemblage, the 41st Assemblage held by the Tennessee chapter! We gathered on a gorgeous March evening at the historic Chickasaw Country Club. In a beautiful glass walled room overlooking the golf course, we inducted two new Knights; Ann Lipe and Jane DeArmas.

Following the induction ceremony, which had some hilarious moments, members and guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray.

Each wine was selected and introduced by our Master of the Cork, Master Knight Robert Meyers. Dining tables were beautifully decorated by Knight Judy Fink. The fish course, a pan roasted snapper with sweet corn maque

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Mike and Judy Fink with new Knights, Ann Lipe and Jane DeArmas

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Gayle Bennett, Beth Webb and Judy Fink

choux, was paired with a Treana Central Coast 2021 Chardonnay. Our second course, a roasted vegetable and apple salad, was served with Chateau De Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé. A delicious beef tenderloin was paired with Sidney Wilcox Vine Dried Shiraz—perfect! The grand finale, chocolate Grand Marnier tart, was accompanied

by Raventos Blanc de Nit Rosé. It was a beautiful night to celebrate our two new Knights, who appropriately dressed in green to match the robes of the cadre!

The first Saturday in May has been designated as our annual Run for the Rosés Kentucky Derby Party.

We gathered once again at the home of Master Commander Bob and Knight Gayle Bennett. Everyone was invited to wear Derby attire, including hats. Our party planner, Knight Judy Fink, planned a delicious menu of traditional Derby food and beverages. She even had a display of Derby winners through the decades. Silver mint julep cups were plentiful and, while a lot of rosé was consumed, mint juleps were definitely the drink of the day! Members and guests placed their $5 win bets with our “bookie,” Knight Jason LaCroix. The winner would split the purse with the chapter treasury. As the

big race began, everyone enthusiastically cheered for their horses but, alas, the big winner of the day was the chapter’s bank account. Once again, the winning horse, Mage, had not received a single vote of confidence from this group. Proceeds from the wagers will be used to fund our next event in August, a Masquerade Dinner Party, complete with a “murder.”

Peggy Larkin and Richard Sperry

Jay & Karrie LaCroix, Beth Webb,Teresa Owens

Nan Galina placing a bet with "our bookie" Jay LaCroix

Summer/Fall 2023

Debbie Meyers, Dave and Pam Hallin,Tom and Alyce Price, Robert Meyers

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN

a Family Affair

Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are the founders of Messina Hof Winery with its first location in Bryan, Texas, in the vineyard they planted there in 1977. KOV members since 1987, in 1995 they were the first couple elevated to the rank of Supreme Knight. Having recently passed the torch to the next generation, they are, in their words, “unpaid consultants”. Paul holds the title of Vice President, while Merrill’s official title is MOM which stands for “Mentor, Organizer, Motivator”. They spend much of their time working in their estate vineyard, leading tour groups to wine regions of the world, and writing murder mystery novels based on the Texas wine industry.

Messina Hof is well known for its great marketing activities which includes their Springtime Wine and Roses Grape Stomp competitions and Summertime HarvestFest Grape Stomps. Looking for a way to allow family and friends to help with harvest, they were inspired by the well-known “Lucy” episode of Lucy stomping the grapes. The tradition of Grape Stomp began in 1984 when some volunteer Aggie students from Germany who were missing their homeland, wanted to help with harvest. Word spread

and the following year many of their customers … their extended Messina Hof family … participated and, as a remembrance of their grape stomping, received Messina Hof t-shirts with their footprints on them. Now into the third generation of this activity, the tradition continues.

From the beginning, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo have felt that the circumstances that guided them to begin the journey to what would become Messina Hof Winery were God-inspired. It was one of Paul’s physical therapy patients, Ron Perry, a post-graduate student at Texas A & M University (and later Dean of Horticulture at Michigan State), who knew from prior conversations that Paul and Merrill had open land. During one of his therapy sessions, Ron told Paul of a project he was working on to test a number of grape varietals to see how they would grow in Texas. Ron asked if he could use one acre of the 100 acres they owned. Paul and Merrill agreed and the experimental vineyard with fourteen varieties was planted in 1977. The project ended, but Paul and Merrill continued and expanded the vineyard over the next several years. That was a moment of truth. Paul said, “you either stay a grape grower or you become a winery.” Messina Hof was born.

By Trish Hagner Inspired by Nan McCreary

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Paul & Merrill

BONARRIGO Summer/Fall 2023

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LtoR Karen, Paul Anthony, Paul Mitchell, Paul Vincent, Merrill, Sophia Marie

The Arbor (TA): Even before you planted the experimental vineyard, your family had a long history of grape growing and making wine.

Paul Bonarrigo (PB): The family tradition, which goes back to 1800 in Messina, Sicily, has been that the firstborn son becomes the winemaker and goes through the red hatting ceremony. At age 16, the son goes through the test of the water and the wine. Blindfolded, the son must discern the difference between the water and the wine. If he passes the test, he gets the red hat. When I was 16, I got the red hat and then when my son Paul Mitchell became 16 he got the red hat.

TA: Who inspired you? Was it just family tradition?

PB: Yes, but what really inspired us was the fact that the two of us wanted to work together and this was new and challenging. Back in 1977 no one encouraged us to do this, not at all. Even in 1981 there was no one encouraging us to do this. I think at the time there were only two wineries: Llano Estacado and Val Verde. There wasn’t a whole lot of success in the whole industry. I

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believe it was 1986 when the first national success story happened. Llano Estacado and Pheasant Ridge won gold medals at San Francisco and that was a big news item. But there wasn’t really anything positive prior to that!

Merrill Bonarrigo (MB): As a matter of fact, everyone told us ‘you can’t grow grapes in Texas. You can’t make good wine in Texas.’ That’s all that we heard. For us, it created even more of a challenge.

TA: So what did you do with the grapes from that first experimental vineyard? Did you make wine?

PB: Well, I called my dad who was living in Florida and I told him I was going to have two tons of grapes.

I asked “would you come help us?” He had made wine with the family in the Bronx when he was a kid with my grandfather and my grandmother. That was traditional in our family. He showed up and we did all of the fermentation with my father being here. After

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that, by 1981, we made enough wine to submit it to the Texas State Fair and we won the gold medal for amateurs because we weren’t yet a bonded winery. That happened in 1983.

TA: What roadblocks did you encounter?

MB: The primary roadblocks were all the naysayers and the anti-alcohol laws in Texas at the time. There were all sorts of obstacles that we had to overcome.

TA: Success didn’t come fast, and it didn’t come easy, but it did come. Was there a moment or event when you knew “this is going to work, we’re going to make this?”

PB: I believe that moment was in 1991 at the Houston Club. They were holding a wine competition which was inspired by the Knights of the Vine. Some of the members of The Houston Club were also members of the Knights of the Vine and they urged the club to do this. We won that competition for 5 or 6 years straight!

There just weren’t very many opportunities for Texas wines before that and this basically launched us into the Houston market. Up until that time our distribution had only been Bryan/College Station.

MB: For me, I think there were several of those “we’re going to make it” moments. The first one was when we won that gold medal as amateurs at the State Fair because up until that time it was just an experiment.

That told us “oh, we CAN make wine and it can be good!” Then there was the moment when we had to go to the bank and the bank wouldn’t give us a loan because wineries were not a proven entity (in Texas) and so it was a reality check and we had to pay as you go and decide “we can do this” and then we figured out how to manage our money so we could make that happen. Also, when we went to Burgundy in 1991 and to Bordeaux in 1994 where we attended classes and visited winemakers at the Chateaux. …

PB: And that was really important because we won the first ever Texas French Shootout. And the thing that was amazing at the time, we got no publicity on that at all and that was just as important as the Judgement of Paris because there were some excellent Bordeaux wines and we ended up beating them handily and no media picked it up at all. continued >>>

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PB: We felt from the beginning that it was important to hit the major cities in Texas to establish a reputation in each of those cities. As far as the grape growing, we did establish vineyards in the Hill Country and in West Texas because our goal was to diversify our vineyard interests just in case the weather turned negative. That’s the one thing we can say for sure ... the risk of growing grapes in Texas is very high! What we found out is that it’s high all over the world. The same kinds of problems we experience in Texas are found everywhere. There is no ideal place in the world to grow grapes.

Vintage Paul & Merril with wine press

MB: There were multiple reality checks. Number one, we were told over and over … you can’t grow Cabernet Sauvignon and you can’t grow any good Merlot in Texas, but that’s exactly what won! As everyone knows, when you are building a new business and you are pioneering where there is no established pathway forward, you encounter these obstacles and take a step back and figure out how to get around that mountain and that’s what we did repeatedly. One of the verses we claimed was “For with God nothing is impossible.” Each one of those moments where we had such a victory gave us new energy to move forward to make it work.

TA: Messina Hof is 100% Texas wines. Is that true of many other wineries in Texas?

PB: No. Actually, there are very few.

MB: Messina Hof has been 100% Texas grapes for over 15 years. We are the largest Texas winery producing 100% Texas grape wine.

TA: You started in Bryan and you expanded to Grapevine and then to Fredericksburg and on to Richmond (a suburb of Houston). Do you see other Texas wineries expanding like this and do you have plans for future expansion?

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The second thing is that we had to diversify our locations because it’s nice that we are in Bryan/College Station and it’s good that we are popular in this area, but we needed to be popular in Dallas and San Antonio and Austin and in Houston. Having significant operations in each of those locations has really helped us.

TA: So, what about all this success has made you most proud? I have a feeling you’ll say your son joining the family business.

MB: Oh yes … absolutely! That was such an unexpected blessing because he had decided to become a career Marine. He grew up in the wine business and had decided that he was going to be a Marine. At the age of 13 he decorated his room in camouflage and put the Marine creed on his computer screen. He never wavered in that goal and ultimately went to the Naval Academy and became a Marine. Of course, we were very proud of him. It was while at the academy that he met his wife Karen. It wasn’t until he and Karen decided they wanted to start a family that he decided to come back to the family business.

PB: I agree. All the awards are nice but when you know that there is another generation that carries on the legacy that really made a huge difference. We had been approached by Wall Street firms to go public but when Paul said he would come back to the family business that changed everything because then we could work toward that.

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TA: So how does success feel?

TA: Any closing thoughts?

MB: I’m very grateful that we now have this opportunity to bring in this second generation in Texas.

I think for the industry itself, one generation does not an industry make. No matter how many wineries open, it’s when that legacy of a winery begins to expand and the next generation and then the next generation take root here in Texas … that’s when we will truly have a Texas wine industry.

PB: Looking ahead to the future; just look at the past.

When we got involved there were two wineries in Texas and now there are 900. There were 500 acres of grapes in the 70s and now it’s 8,000 which is nothing compared to what we need. What we need is 18,000 acres of grapes!

TA: It’s nice to hear you talk about KOV, but how did you first learn of the Knights of the Vine?

MB: It’s like that saying … It’s not who you know, but who knows you! And that’s really true for us. Knights of the Vine played a really important part in all our successes. Back when we were living in the mobile home, Chuck Jacobus [a former Houston chapter member] brought a van full of Houston people up and we did a wine tasting for them. It was from that group that we were introduced to the Knights of the Vine, and they were always so supportive of the industry with the scholarships and events and promotion of Texas wines. It really has been an instrumental part of our growth and that encouragement helped drive us forward. This was a wine group that appreciated and respected what Texas wineries were trying to do.

Summer/Fall 2021 Winter/Spring 2023

TA: Thank you for your time today and for sharing your story that helps with a better understanding of the Texas wine industry, in general, and how KOV played a part in that history.

Paul & Merril engagement photo

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Celebrating

Grand Wine Events!

North Carolina

By Jeff Price, Master Commander

Capitalizing upon the success of a terrific and busy year in 2022 that saw our members gather at various wine events throughout the State, the Knights and Gentle Ladies of the North Carolina Chapter emerged shivering in mid-January to meet at The Umstead Hotel in Cary on January 12 for a North Carolina Fine Wines Dinner.

We salute the culinary staff of The Umstead and North Carolina’s winemakers for a grand evening of gourmet food and fine wine! The wines featured at this dinner were: the 2019 Piccione Vineyards “Vino di Lusso;” the 2021 Raffaldini Vineyards Vermentino Superiore; the 2017 Jones Von Drehle Petit Verdot; the 2017 Sanctuary Vineyards “Double Barrel” blend of Petit Verdot and Tannat; the 2019 Dynamis Cabernet Sauvignon (“The Mountain”); and the 2012 Windsor Run Cellars “Midnight Run Grand Reserve.” Each of these featured wines had been selected, after rigorous judging, for inclusion in the 2022 North Carolina Showcase of Fine Wines.

On April 15, our Knights and Gentle Ladies were a visible force at the Seventh Annual North Carolina Fine Wines Awards Gala held at the Millenium Center in Winston Salem. Over 200 people attended this event, many representing North Carolina’s wine industry and others representing a public that simply loves good wine. Guests attending the Gala dress for a night of fun and education and are given red-carpet treatment. The dinner is a five-course meal, paired with local wines. The dinner sourced everything locally from North Carolina - scallops, shrimp, pork, short ribs, vegetables, cheeses, etc. Each signature dish was paired with an award-winning wine.

The NC Fine Wines (https://www.NCFineWines.com) competition requires all wines to be 100% NC Grown and Vinified (made into wine). A labeled state wine is federally required to be at least 75% made from grapes in that state. This competition is not only blind but also mute. Judges are not permitted to discuss the wines before giving a score. It is the toughest wine competition in the country.

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Lisa & Russell Jones

Lisa Tillis and Jeff Price

Kathleen Conn with Jim & Cathy Ward

Jeff Price, Jay Raffaldini, Russell Jones

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The competition judges are all very highly qualified and active in the wine business. Three are Advanced Level III Somms from the Court of Sommeliers and three are Advanced Level 4 WSET. This year, Henk Schuitemaker from the Angus Barn Restaurant in Raleigh also served as a judge. Mr. Schuitemaker was named one of the "8 Star Sommeliers in the Restaurant" by Wine Spectator Magazine in 2022. Judges taste and evaluate the wines for varietally correct characteristics, such as visual, aroma, taste, finish and overall quality of the wines. All of the judges agreed that 2023 was the best year yet.

Jay Raffaldini, President of the Fine Wines of NC, welcomed the audience and stressed that even though the night "is an event for people to celebrate their hard work and recognize individual wines, it also is a time to recognize that the vineyards that participate in this competition are committed to quality." Jay also thanked many members of the wine community in North Carolina, including the NC KOV Chapter!

Dan McLaughlin, secretary of the organization, observed, "This year was a watershed event. There were 4 Double Golds, a first for the competition, and the number of gold medals exceeded the number of bronze medals.” Judges awarded a total of 40 Gold; 69 Silver and 27 Bronze medals. North Carolina wines are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Dan declared that “One does not have to fly to the West Coast or overseas for a world class wine experience. It's right here in North Carolina - all the great taste and no jet lag.”

Our chapter is a proud sponsor of the Fine Wines of North Carolina and their mission to raise the bar of

Holly and Lisa Tillis

Summer/Fall 2023

quality winemaking in North Carolina! We congratulate each of the wineries’ whose wines are included in the 2023 Showcase of NC Fine Wines!

• Best in Show, Best White, Double Gold: Stony Knoll Vineyards Viognier 2022 • Best Red: Surry Cellars - Tannat Reserve 2019 • Best Hybrid & Double Gold: Roaring River Vineyards - Rock & Roar 2019 • Best Dessert: JOLO Winery & Vineyards - Sweet Vermouth • Best Sparkling: Marked Tree Vineyard - Bubble Swarm 2021 • Best Rosé: Marked Tree Vineyard - Chloe Rosé 2022 • Showcase & Double Gold: Raffaldini Vineyards - Patrimonio 2019 • Showcase: Sanctuary Vineyards - Pearl (Albarino) 2022 • Showcase & Double Gold: Shelton Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 • Showcase: Raffaldini Vineyards - Grande Riserva 2019 • Showcase: Raffaldini Vineyards - Vermentino Superiore 2022 • Showcase: Shelton Vineyards - Malbec 2021

We salute all of the wineries whose wines won medals at this competition. Those of us who will enjoy consuming their liquid gold, silver and bronze winning wines appreciate their hard work, dedication and commitment to making high quality wines. “Thank You” to all the winemakers in North Carolina!

The North Carolina KOV Chapter is currently busy preparing for our 2023 Grand Assemblage to be held in historic Wilmington, North Carolina October 6-8. The Hotel Ballast, a member of the Hilton Hotel’s Tapestry Collection, will be the location for this grand event and we hope to see many of you there! For details of this and our other events, check us out at https://www.facebook/ KOVNC.com. Per Vitem! Ad Vitam!

Dan McLaughlin and the 2023 Winners

Chancellery

The 11th Annual Chancellery Crab Feed was a big success, despite old man winter preventing our co-host chapter, KOV Lake Tahoe, from attending.

Eleven of our members from the Truckee/Tahoe area were snowbound and sorely missed! The day started just after noon, with a tour of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Department’s Teaching and Research Winery, a facility which Master Commander Chik Brenneman played a pivotal role in designing and building while he was on the UC Davis staff. It is the world’s first LEED Platinum Winery and holds some of the most advanced instrumentation to carry out research projects in viticulture and enology. Two KOV scholarship students gave a short presentation on the research with which they are involved. It is meaningful to hear from the students themselves who are benefiting from the scholarships that we fund.

The crab feed followed, at Baker Family Wines, with members present from both the Chancellery and Lodi Chapters, including Lodi’s Master Commander Gordon MacKay and Knight Annette MacKay. We started with appetizers prepared by a few members and wine, of course. Chuck Kelly, our own “crab man,” cooked up his always popular shrimp. Chuck serves it hot out of the pot, and it is eaten as fast as he can serve it. The

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crab is always the star of the show and Chuck did not disappoint the group with a warm, sweet and delectable feast! The pasta, salad and hot garlic bread were a meal in themselves, as there were for a couple of non-crab eaters.

Truly a fun evening!

In March, Sommelier and Lake Tahoe Chapter member Sudsy Torbeck hosted an event at the Torbeck residence, which Sudsy called You Be The Judge. Sudsy recently moved from the Tahoe area to West Sacramento and she is affectionately shared between Chapters as our Sommelier and Cellarmaster. She selected five wines that Wine Spectator called “best value” wines of 2022. “Best value” is defined by the publication as wines deemed by their panel of experts as 90 points or higher at a reasonable price point. She spent time showing us how to properly smell and taste the wine, including some basic sensory descriptors. An interesting mix of opinions came out of our group. Hence, the name! Within the same wine, it seems like we either loved them or wondered

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the incredible grazing table, a ‘charcuterie board on steroids’. After our social we moved indoors to the newly designed dining room. We were seated at a beautifully decorated long communal table where we enjoyed Chef D’s creations paired with specially selected wines.

We closed out the spring season on a perfect May afternoon in Granite Bay, where sixteen KOV members and two guests representing the Chancellery and Lake Tahoe chapters visited for a tasting at Twin Rock Winery located along the Placer County Wine Trail.

The winery’s elegant tasting room and lakeside patio area were newly completed. how they scored so highly to make the publication. We are looking forward to another educational program put on by Sudsy! Hmmm, what will she think of next?

Then in April, Old Sacramento was teeming with positive energy when our Grand Assemblage guests gathered in the beautiful courtyard set amongst the historical buildings. Many dating back to the mid-1800’s. The venue was Our Place Event Space and Kitchen, headed up

by Chef Derris Mosley and his team of culinary wizards.

After six months of winter, the weather transitioned into spring, and we could enjoy the enthronement ceremony outside. Our members and guests watched as Master Commander, Chik Brenneman, elevated Steve Siegel to Master Vice Commander and Claudia Siegel to Master Director of Communications. We brought in three new Knights; Polly McGilvray, Jennifer Radke and Paulette Schloetter. Polly is no stranger to KOV, as her husband, Doug, has been a member for over 20 years. Jen oversees the administrative unit that oversees the Viticulture and Enology department at UC Davis. Paulette is a lover of wine and anxious to help with the Chapter. They all took the oath of Knighthood and proved themselves to be true lovers of wine. After the ceremony we further enjoyed the courtyard while sipping the wine that Cellarmaster Sudsy picked out to go with

Summer/Fall 2023

On to Summer! Chancellery and Lodi chapters teamed up to put on a French-themed dinner hosted in the beautiful patio and garden area of the home of Lodi members Don and Sylvia Leutz. Forty-four KOV members representing three northern California KOV chapters and their guests dined on French fare prepared and served entirely by members. Cellarmaster Sudsy led a discussion on the French wines she selected to pair with the four courses. Two new Chancellery members who missed the April Assemblage were enthroned. It was a perfect evening of excellent French food and wines and the weather cooperated!

All in all, it was great to have everyone together for these events. We look forward to celebrating the 2023 harvest and the upcoming fall events!

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San Francisco

The SF/Bay Area Chapter started the year with an interesting educational tasting experience with Bougetz Cellars at the Pingitore Residence. Tim Ennis, their Sales Manager, poured 6 wines for tasting and also demonstrated what happens with particular food pairings and wine.

He laid out 4 separate items: one salty, one sweet, one citrus (limequat) and another fatty. Sampling the wines before and after the food types definitely changed the character of the wine experience.

The limequat’s acidity overpowered the acidity in an otherwise well balanced 2021 Parched (a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay) making it taste sweeter.

The sweet (piece of chocolate?) with a previously delicious Cabernet Blend, increased the perception of bitterness, astringency, acidity, and the warming effect of the alcohol in the wine.

The fatty piece of salami, paired excellently with the freshness and fruit of the 2019 Cairn, a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

Salt in and of itself did little to enhance or take away from any of the wines.

For another interesting tasting experience, Tim poured both a Rutherford AOC Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend (2019 Amaryllis) alongside a very similar Rutherford valley floor blend (2019 Jetrois) - same blend, same winemaker, same style, yet... very different tasting experience - true terroir based demonstration. Which was more fruit forward? It depends on one’s palate interestingly enough!

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All of these wines are now available to all KOV members by accessing the kov.org webpage under “Membership/ Member Benefits”. Bougetz Cellars is now part of our Friends of KOV program. Please check out their portfolio of excellent value priced wines offered with a special KOV discount.

Following the demonstration, hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Bernardo of Napa Valley were served while we continued to enjoy the wine.

In May, a number of San Francisco Bay Area Chapter members joined other KOV members in Portugal for the 52nd FICB International Congress and its Extension.

This event is covered extensively elsewhere in this issue.

Hoping to change things up and not wanting to let go of the glow of the recent Portuguese Congress, a number of us trekked over to Petaluma, CA to experience a tour of an active dairy/cheese farm owned and operated by the Pacheco’s; a 3rd generation Portuguese family, and interestingly, remotely related to the family who owns the Pacheca Winery we visited in Portugal!

Led by the inimitable Donna Pacheco, owner and proprietor of the Farm, we were treated to a tour of her cheese-making factory, and cow-milking facility. Her telling it like it is reality of farming in the 21st century, captivated everyone as she explained the rigors of maintaining such a facility. continued >>>

Summer/Fall 2023

SAN FRANCISCO CHAPTER CONT’D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The tour included encounters with her live animals (goats & cows, including 2 week old calves) which delighted both the young and the old among us.

This was followed by a cheese tasting and a lunch provided by the famous Ray’s Deli & Tavern of Petaluma.

All of this, of course, was accompanied by Portuguese wines many of which were provided by our own Mark Crisler of Trellis Wines & Spirits, as well as some procured from a San Francisco wine shop which stocked a wide array of Portuguese wines.

We were able to pour wines experienced by our Congress attendees from the majority of the important DOC designated wines regions of Portugal including Vinho Verde, Douro, Bairrada, Tejo, Alentejo, Lisboa and the Algarve!

What a way to relive the experience of Congress in Porto and Lisbon and share some of the memories with our friends.

On a “best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley…” note, many of you who attended the Congress may remember the Quinta da Pacheca in the Duoro where we had a wonderful tour, lunch and tasting. I, of course, ordered some wines to share at the Achadinha Farm (owned by Pacheco’s - a serendipitous coincidence), and was promised delivery in time for the event! The wines arrived 2 days after the event!! Oh well...

Many thanks to Dick Katz for discovering this delightful piece of an agricultural gem and to Donna Pacheco for sharing her knowledge and expertise as well as allowing us the exclusive use of her reception space.

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National News FICB – UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL THE ARBOR GETS TO TRAVEL! EVENTS YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS! Be sure to take a copy of The Arbor with you when you 2024 - The 2nd FICB International Wine Tasting Challenge, hosted by the Order of the Ladies of Pannonia, will be held from May 23-28, 2024 in Hungary.

Limited to 100 people worldwide, registration is now open and the program is excellent. For information and to register, go to www. ficbwinechallenge2024.hu. (Registration is due to close October 15, 2023. To check for extensions, please contact the organizers.

• 2025 – FICB Wine Discovery Tour will be in the Piedmont Region of Italy.This program will be very similar to the one originally planned for 2020 and now offered to a smaller group. Dates to be announced, but likely to be in late May into early June 2025.

• 2026 – FICB 53rd International Congress in Provence region also expected to be late May – early June 2026.

• For more on these events and general information on wine brotherhoods around the world, please visit www. winebrotherhoods.org.

you travel to share our KOV stories with others and let us know about it with a picture and brief description!

Debra & Danny Price,Trish Hagner at Cabo da Roca, the western most point of Europe (Portugal)

KOV 2023 NATIONAL MEETING & DELEGATES GATHERING

The Chancellery Chapter will host the 2023 National Meeting in the Sacramento area April 11-14. Delegates will meet on the morning of Friday, April 12 for our business review. All members in good standing are welcome to attend. In addition to the Delegates meeting, a number of other events and activities are planned including tours, tastings and a gala event on Friday evening. This is always a special time for friends from chapters across the country to come together and we hope to see you there! Save the date …. More details will be shared soon!

Summer/Fall 2023

Alan Bryden, Luis Madureira, Buddy Hagner after Buddy presented the Commanders Coin to Luis who is the head of the Brotherhood of Alentejo (Portugal). Alan Bryden is the President of the FICB.

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Houston Texas Independence

In typical Texas style, the Houston Chapter gathered together at the home of Commander Buddy Hagner and Master Lady Trish Hagner for Thirsty Thursday on Texas Independence Day, March 2. With 39 members and guests present, a ranch-style dinner of salad, pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans and brownies was enjoyed along with a wine line-up that included Mounts 2019 “Verah” Rhone Style White (Dry Creek Valley), Dawn’s Dream 2021 “Escolle” Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands), Galante 2019 “Wagon Wheel” Sauvignon Blanc, Galante 2018 “Almond Flat” Pinot Noir, Galante 2014 “Ace High” Malbec and Galante 2019 “Rancho Galante” Cabernet Sauvignon (all Carmel).

A Supreme Visit When possible, we have “tagged on” to events around our city and a great opportunity was a wine dinner planned by Jonathan’s the Rub – Memorial Green on Thursday, April 13. Our friend and KOV member Supreme Knight Tom Eddy’s wines were the feature for this dinner and 19 members of our chapter were there to welcome him. With a total of about 50 present for the dinner, we had an opportunity to tell others in the crowd about KOV! One of our favorite restaurants already and with the chef/owner Jonathan Levine with us for the evening, everyone had a great time. Our dinner started with tuna tartare and 2019 Parcel One Grenache Blanc. That was followed by a delicious lobster bisque and 2018 Reserve Russian River Purrington Vineyard

Celebrating March Birhtdays

Chris,Terry, Bart and Friend

Tom Eddy speaking to the dinner crowd

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Chardonnay. Between courses, Tom shared information about his wines and shared some great stories. Next up … seared duck breast with foie gras and cherry sauce with Tom Eddy Manchester Ridge Mendocino Pinot Noir and beef Wellington with a 2016 Tom Eddy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. At this point, Tom surprised everyone with a bonus wine he brought with him from Calistoga … his 2015 Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet! What a generous gift to share with all of us!

After we savored this wonderful surprise, we completed the meal with Grandma Sof ’s cheesecake (Jonathan’s family recipe) and 2016 Tom Eddy Sierra Foothills Orange Muscat. With such a feeling of total satisfaction, no one wanted this evening to come to an end!

“Born to Be Wild”

to raise money for the scholarship endowment we established at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospital- Christine & Jeff Hollinden & Greg Graziano ity Leadership and we always appreciate having representatives of the Hilton College with us at all of the weekend events. Friday evening is very casual with a buffet dinner and featured Saint Gregory 2014 Brut Rosé Sparkling (graciously donated by the winemaker), Graziano 2020 Chenin Blanc, 2018 Zinfandel, 2018 Petite Sirah, 2019 Pinot Meunier and a perfect spring evening.

Saturday, April 22 found our assemblage committee hard at work at the Royal Sonesta Hotel decorating tables and setting up for our fundraising. When the evening approached, the cadre gathered to review the details for the enthronement ceremony while members and guests, in their black tie attire, sipped on Graziano wines. Soon everyone was seated in the ballroom and the festivities commenced! With great enthusiasm, we >>>

Lois Van Vooren

It’s always a time of magic …. and this year it was just WILD! Our Assemblage Weekend kicked off on Friday, April 21 as we gathered under the stars at the Hagner home with this year’s extra special guest, Gregory Graziano, owner and winemaker of Graziano Family of Wines in Mendocino, California. Our theme for the weekend was BORN TO BE WILD and it brought a thoroughly fun and a bit of retro feel about the weekend.

While our assemblage is focused on officially welcoming our newest members, we also take this opportunity

Summer/Fall 2023

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Mark Davis Kolbe & Gwen Curtice

Karen Smith, Greg Graziano, Raymond McKaskle

Trish & Buddy Hagner

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Theresa & Ron Bergen

Tyri Centanni, Lulu Curtice,Wanda Schaffner

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Time to Travel!

welcomed new members Theresa and Ron Bergen, Laura Slataper, Leah Auricchio and Ken Kapelka. Three other new members were unable to attend and will be officially recognized at a later date. The candidates were tested and we are pleased to report that with their combined knowledge, they were able to answer the questions posed to them. We celebrated their accomplishment with a dinner that was designed for our “Born to be Wild” theme. Meanwhile, our UH students were selling raffle tickets and cork pulls and helping bidders at the silent auction tables. In addition to having our winemaker with us, we once again welcomed Hilton College Dean Dennis Reynolds and his lovely wife, Julia, who have becomes friends of our chapter. The interaction when the students saw him in attendance was heartwarming! The night was complete as everyone danced to our live band and, at the end of the evening, collected their treasures.

Many of our assemblage attendees take advantage of the special hotel rates we negotiate which makes it very easy for them to join us for brunch on Sunday morning. This is a really special time when we hear directly from our scholarship recipients and get an update from the dean and confirms for all of us what a tremendous impact KOV is making through the generosity of our members and guests. Also very important at our Sunday brunch is the education we all get when we hear from those present in the wine industry about the trends, issues and difficulties the wine industry may be facing. As high noon rolls around, it is time for sweet goodbyes … until next year!

Summer/Fall 2023

When May rolled around, many members of the Houston Chapter were packing for travels to Portugal and nearby places. With the FICB 52nd International Wine Congress back on schedule, many of our KOV friends from around the country met up with 14 of our members there. From Houston we had Jim & Lulu Curtice, Buddy & Trish Hagner, Mike & Amy Lawch, Susan Loberg, Kathy Long, Dennis & Winner Moser, Dan & Debra Price, Michelle Wise, and Lois Van Vooren.

While the events were spectacular, seeing international friends and our wide-spread KOV friends and creating lasting memories with them was surely one of the best parts of this Congress. >>>

By Lois Van Vooren

LET’S CROQUET

“I remember playing that when I was a kid!” Who doesn’t remember playing a game of 9 wicket backyard croquet as a child? We thought “why not revisit our fond childhood memories and add a bit of wine and food to the mix?” Under the very capable leadership of two of our members, Knights Lee Slataper and Paul Chan, who are members of the Houston Croquet Association, we were ready for a fun experience.

So as we gathered on May 16th at the Memorial Park Croquet Courts, the only public croquet lawns in Texas, we thought we knew the game we were about to play, but we soon learned that we were about to be introduced to a friendly game of six wicket or “competitive croquet”. With two courts and the recent addition of an 800 square foot pavilion, we played Golf Croquet based on rules established by the World Croquet Association.

Golf Croquet is currently the fastest growing form in the United States. Sixteen of our members were divided into 4 teams while other members formed the cheering squad. What a fun time we had!

At one point, we had some concerns about the weather as thunderstorms were rolling through parts of Houston and threatening our outdoor event. However, on advice from a well-known Houston weatherman who was playing golf in another part of the park, we proceeded like the new aficionados that we were!

Lee Slataper, Lois Van Vooren, Paul Chan

WINE-DOWN WEDNESDAY As the end of June approached and we continued to deal with excessively hot temperatures, we were able to support one of our members, Master Knight Giorgio Caflisch, who had recently opened VinSanto Wine Bar and Bistro in west Houston. Twenty-four thirsty knights and ladies celebrated Wine-down Wednesday with Smith Devereux 2021 “ C a l i f o r n i a W h i t e” (Napa), Adega 2016 Syrah (Columbia Valley, WA) and Clos Pons 2011 Red Blend “Roc Nu” (Spain) while being served a delicious variety of flatbreads! Thank you George and we wish you much success!

To all our friends across the country, we look forward to welcoming George Caflisch & Riccardo Guerrieri you whenever you travel our way and we especially hope that you will mark your calendars and make your plans to join us for our Assemblage Weekend 2024 planned for April 5-7, 2024!

Members brought food and their favorite bottle of wine to share. We gave out a prize for “best croquet attire” of the night and while not everyone looks good in all white.

Gentle Lady Heidi Feeney managed to pull off the look quite fashionably. All who attended agreed it was an event they would enjoy again.

Heidi Feeney, Lois Van Voore 50

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FRIENDS OF KOV More benefits keep being added to your membership! These wineries are offering you special savings. Please take advantage of them! And remember to say THANK YOU!

Mounts Family Winery – A family-owned and operated winery in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. A history of four generations of grape growers and winemakers, these estate wines will be wines you’ll want to share with your family and friends. Visit www.mountswinery.com and receive a 20% discount on your order. Come visit us in person and receive a complimentary tasting for up to 6 people! At check out, please use code KOV20.

Eberle Winery – Award winning Paso Robles wines from Supreme Knight Gary Eberle. Now available to KOV members with a discount of 20%. Just visit www.eberlewinery.com and enter code KOV20.

Visitors to the winery will receive complimentary tastings and tours at the bar in the tasting room. Discounts for KOV members are also offered for their Reserve Tour & Tasting and VIP Tour & Tasting. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation for all tasting and tours to ensure space and the best possible experience!

Smith Devereux – Free tour and tasting for up to 6 people at their Oak Knoll Cabernet Vineyards hosted by founder and vintner Ian Devereux. Contact Ian at ian@smithdevereux.com or 707-2275226. Online, receive a 20% discount when you use code KOV20 at smithdevereux.com.

Maroon Wines – Founded by KOV members Paul and Renee Maroon, these 100% Napa wines are available for our members to enjoy with a 25% discount. Just enter KOV25 at checkout at www.maroonwines.com.

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Bougetz Cellars – Experience exceptional wine from numerous AVAs in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Thomas Bougetz is the awardwinning winemaker and founder of Bougetz Cellars. KOV members receive a 20% discount on wine purchases and complimentary tasting for 2 at their Tasting Gallery on Atlas Peak Road in Napa.

Enter KNIGHTS20 at checkout for the discount.

Boisset Collection – Boisset Collection is thrilled to extend an industry savings both online and at their California wineries including Raymond Vineyards, Elizabeth Spencer, DeLoach Vineyards, JCB Salons and Buena Vista Winery. To order wines, go to my.boissetcollection.com and use your special coupon code of KOV22. When visiting in person, be sure to mention you are a Knights of the Vine member to receive 20-30% savings. (Some exclusions will apply.)

Nalle Winery – Receive a 20% discount on all wine purchased at www.nallewinery.com with code KOV20.

Klinker Brick – Generously offered by KOV member Steve Felten and his wife, Lori, Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi, California is offering a 25% discount on all wine purchased at www.klinkerbrickwinery.com with code KBKOV25

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Post

Holiday Party Story: Forrest Preece, Master Scribe Photos: Charles Quinn Photography

Connee Sullivan, Eva Womack, Kent Sullivan

Austin

The Austin Chapter of the Knights of the Vine held its annual Post-Holiday Party at the historic Chateau Bellevue in downtown Austin on January 18. It was a mild night and some of the Knights and Gentle Ladies, such as your faithful scribe and his wife, were able to walk over to the venue from their homes.

Wine for the evening included n/v Louis Roederer Brut Champagne, 2020 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino and 2009 d’Issan Margaux Bordeaux and were all selected from the chapter’s cellar. After glasses were filled, conversations became quite lively all across the ballroom.

Master Commander Randy Groves and his wife, Maître de Partis Deborah Davis Groves, welcomed everyone and made some remarks about upcoming events for 2023.

The guests were eager to trade stories about holiday travel and their plans for the new year. Soon, the food buffet featuring prime rib, chicken parmesan, and accompaniments was open, and after filling their plates, guests found seats where they could converse at length. With the fabled Texas legislature swinging back into session, politics became a popular topic. Indeed, after two or three glasses of wine, many of the Knights and Gentle Ladies found that the worth of their opinions gained extra validity, even above their usual high watermarks for erudition.

Rose Betty Williams, Lynn Nolen, Randy Groves, Ann Kugler, Beverly Newsom

Sidney & John Jones, Jo Carol Snowden, Allen Kemp

All too soon, it was time to venture into the Texas night.

Everyone agreed that it was an enjoyable time with wine, food and friends – an outstanding way to welcome the new year.

Rebecca Taylor & Susan Auler

Former Austin Mayor & Knight Ron Mullen at the buffet

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AUSTIN HOSTS KOV

NATIONAL

1

MEETING

3 2 1 Commander Randy Groves addressed the Knights and Gentle Ladies 2 Eddie Butler & Commander Emeritus Jerry Gatlin 3 Deborah Groves 4 Ed Auler, Kelley Lightfoot, Gerald Stone, Allan Williams, Susan Auler, Debbie Pepin, Rose Betty Williams, Kandace Eakin 5 Hugh Collins, Kandace Eakin, Skip Porter, Biddie Porter, Dennis Eakin

The Austin Chapter was asked to host the 2023 National Meeting and Gathering of Delegates and we were pleased to do so!

All the details can be found in a separate report on the National Meeting.

Briefly, it began with members from around the country coming together at the Austin Chapter’s Spring Party

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on March 30 on the 55th floor at The Austonian. The business meeting was hosted the next morning by our members Supreme Knights Ed and Susan Auler, out at their Fall Creek Winery Tasting Room.

Meeting attendees and others then enjoyed lunch at one of our favorite

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barbeque spots, The Salt Lick, before gathering for the evening for a boat ride on Lady Bird Lake to enjoy the sunset, a fajita dinner and to see the bats fly! Our guests were obviously having a great time and we were happy to have provided them with such a wonderful series of opportunities to enjoy our area.

continued >>> Summer/Fall 2023

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AUSTIN CHAPTER CONT’D FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Commander Randy Groves knights Christopher Burnett.

Festive at the Four Seasons On Thursday, May 11, our chapter hosted its annual Assemblage at the Four Seasons Hotel in the city’s vibrant downtown. The hotel always provides a delightful setting for the formal Assemblage and this year was no exception, with the sun-kissed view of Lady Bird Lake to the south.

Prior to being seated for the dinner, the chapter’s members enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and conversation. After guests filed into the ballroom and found their places, Maître de Partis Deborah Davis Groves made welcoming remarks. Then, with recorded fanfare, the chapter’s Cadre filed in, led by Master Commander Randy Groves.

After making opening remarks, Commander Groves began the induction ceremony for the new Knights. In Gerald Stone & Dallas Seely

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all, seven members were welcomed into the chapter and included Bruce and Nancy Bauman, Louis & Marci Henna, Leo Litto and Debbie Pepin, and Christopher Burnett. Commander Groves introduced an innovation in this year’s ceremony by asking designated inductee Christopher Burnett three wine knowledge questions, which he answered with flying colors.

Soon, everyone was enjoying their four-course meal and having a fine time exchanging information about summer vacations and discussing graduation trips for children and grandchildren, among other topics.

It was a pleasurable celebration of food, wine, and camaraderie in Austin and exclamations of “Per Vitem, Ad Vitam,” were heard throughout the hall!

Jim & Jo Green, Sidney & John Jones

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Andrew Heller, with Sylvia & David Jabour

Passed Hors D'oeuvres

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Tuna Tartare On Rice Cracker / Mini Beef Sliders, Tomato Onion Chutney Taittinger Prestige Blanc Brut N/V 1st Course Heirloom Tomato And Burrata, Arugula, Micro Basil, BalsamicOlive Oil, Roasted Garlic Chips Albert Bichot Chablis Domaine Long-Depaquit 2021 Seafood Entrée

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Pan-Seared Seabass, Carrot Risotto, Spinach Cream, Basil Leaf Crisp Tyler Pinot Noir Bien Nacido North Block 2017 Beef Entrée Tenderloin Steak, Truffle Bordelaise, Roasted Cippolini Onion, Asparagus Lyonnaise Potatoes Sinegal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Dessert Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Gateau, Praline Crunch, Earl Grey

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1 David Tobey & Michelle Berger, Nancy & Bruce Bauman 2 Debbie Pepin, Daniel McGrath, Leo Litto 3 Leonard & Aileen Quam 4 Clare & Rick Lotspeich 5 Robyn Burnett, Rebecca Taylor, Christopher Burnett OPPOSITE PAGE TOP The Cadre: Master Scribe Forrest Preece, Master Treasurer Lynn Nolen, Master Commander Randy Groves, Master of Amity Jim Green, Maître de Partis Deb Davis Groves

Chocolate Mousse

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PORTUGAL 52nd FICB CONGRESS RECAP

From May 27 – June 2, 2022, nearly 250 participants from 10 nations (Austria, Canada, France, Hungary, Japan, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the U.S.A.) attended the 52nd FICB International Congress in Porto and the extension to the Lisbon area. It was the first in-person FICB since 2018. We were hosted by the Portuguese Wine Brotherhoods Federation, local Portuguese Brotherhoods and the FICB. After many inquiries from travelers planning to arrive a few days before the festivities were scheduled to begin, our hosts graciously set up several “early bird” options.

The first was a port tasting and dinner at Quinta da Boeira on Friday, May 26. There were about 50 in attendance. It was a fabulous way to begin our Portugal adventures! The winemaker shared an explanation of the vineyards and winemaking process before we were invited to taste the four samples of port in front of us.

We learned that in 1756, Douro became a demarcated and regulated region and in 2001, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site and here we are … fortunate to get to experience it. There was a pre-test to show knowledge of port wines and our own Trish Hagner beat out all of the rest of us to win the competition and a bottle of Quinta da Boeira 20-year-old Tawny. Many of us offered to bring that home in our own suitcases for her! We had a delicious dinner in their barrel room and were served Douro wines and a Port from 1917. Since they only had 350 liters of it they created spray bottles as a unique way

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to control the portions. We passed the bottle around and sprayed 5 pumps in our mouths and then sipped the port. It was delicious! We ended the night serenaded by a fantastic, traditional, Fado singer.

On Saturday morning, there was another pre-FICB activity planned. This was a city tour of Porto. First stop was the British Factory House, a private club for the big port houses. We were lucky to see this as it is not open to the public. It still functions as a meeting place and every Wednesday members gather for a lunch and they bring out a copy of the Times (a daily UK newspaper) from that same date, but 100 years earlier! Guests enjoy vintage ports and catch up on the news of the day … well, from 100 years ago! It has been the place for many great events and visits from kings and queens over their long history. With this unique opportunity, we were able to see a bit of this great history and visit their wine library with vintages that go back to the early 1900s. We then visited the São Bento Railway Station, a masterpiece of

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renowned artist Jorge Colaço, which had over 20,000 tiles. Portugal is well known for its beautiful tilework which can be seen all over the country. It was a fitting tribute to Portuguese history and the daily activities of the Portuguese people. Finally, we had lunch at a historic restaurant, O Escondidinho (circa 1931), with traditional dishes from Porto and never-ending glasses of wine. We returned to our hotel to get a little rest before the big event of the day …. the official opening of the 52nd FICB Congress.

Day 1: The Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner took place at the Hilton Porto Gaia hotel. We were greeted by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Souse, and the Mayor of Gaia, Eduardo-Vitor Rodrigues. FICB President, Alan Bryden, along with the President of the Portuguese Wine Brotherhoods Federation, Pedro Rego, and the President of the Congress Organizing Committee, Albino Jorge de Sousa, welcomed the attending wine brotherhoods and formally opened the 52nd FICB Congress. We were treated to a delicious traditional dinner with Douro DOC whites and reds and a bottle of Quinta de Boeira 20-year-old Tawny on every table. The entertainment was a fabulous concert by a combination of two choruses. We also met the two buglers from the national police who would keep us on time throughout the program. It was a great reunion of old friends after a four-year break and much celebration ensued throughout the evening.

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Claire Cuccio & Buddy Hagner

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Day 2: We traveled up north to the Limia River Valley to the Santuario da Santa Luzia (Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Viana do Castelo, which is the region where Vinho Verde is produced. We attended mass in our brotherhood regalia and posed for a group photo outside the church. The mass was celebrated by the Bishop of the Diocese de Viana. We were told that it was rare for the bishop to conduct the mass; so rare, in fact, that it was being broadcast to all of Portugal in real time. What an honor! We then had lunch catered by the restaurant Quinta do Carvalho and drank some nice Vinho Verde. The enthronement ceremony into the Confraria do Vinho Verde was held in downtown Viana Do Castelo at the Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda (Municipal Theater). Afterwards, all the brotherhoods marched by country through Viana on the way to dinner. Portugal, as our hosts, led the way and the colorful robes from the different countries attracted attention from the townspeople. A young girl carried a sign that said USA which we followed along with the Oregon Wine Brotherhood. At one point, a young woman ran out of the crowd to hug one of our members while others chanted “USA … USA … USA”! We were so pleased and joined in the chant! Dinner was downtown at the Cultural Center in Viana do Castelo and we were, once again, entertained by dancers and singers performing traditional song and dance. It was a great day!

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Day 3: No surprise … day 3 was even more amazing than the day before! We took the bus out to the Douro Valley with lunch and a tour at Quinta da Pacheca, one of the first properties to bottle wine under its own label and doing so since 1738. Pacheca is the feminine form of the family name of Da Mariana Pacheco Pereira, who owned the property back then. Quinta da Pacheca is famous for its ten specialty rooms designed by owners Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves. They are situated in the vineyard near a hotel and spa on the 140acre estate. We could see the accommodations in the vineyard that looked like barrels laying on their sides.

Reason enough for a return trip! We had an amazing meal of traditional green soup, bacalhau (unsalted cod), tournedo de vitela (veal) and leite crème (custard milk).

We then boarded a river boat in Régua, the Acqua Douro, and cruised back to downtown Porto passing through two locks on the journey. The first, we were told, was the deepest lock in Europe … about 100 feet! It was like being in a deep cavern. The second lock was not as deep but came with some surprises! As we began to move, there was a brief firework display and then, as we descended into the lock, we enjoyed music from a band on the shore. After a while, they were hard to see since we were so far down! Soon after, we enjoyed a meal on the boat paired with wonderful wines from Pacheca, while admiring the terraced landscapes. Our guides told us this is a perfect microclimate for growing grapes, olives and almonds. Everyone must come to Porto at some point and cruise this beautiful landscape!

Day 4: We started the day with a Scientific Forum with several recognized Portuguese experts in wines, sustainability, tourism, marketing and cork. One interesting fact from the scientific forum about cork: cork trees are not ready for their first harvest for at least 29 years and then it will be another 9 year in between harvests!

This session was followed by the Wines of the World event where attendees bring wines from their home regions. It gives us a chance to get excited about new wines and share with new worldwide friends. There was a buffet lunch with some Port-of course! After a short rest, we dressed to the nines for the Enthronement into the Port Wine Brotherhood and our Gala Dinner. We paraded through the streets of Porto-Gaia in our respective brotherhood regalia, hopped on a boat to cross the Douro and continued the parade on the other side.

Large crowds gathered as the bands played and soon, we were joined by four white stallions in full regalia and ridden by officers in handsome uniforms who led us through the streets to the ceremony and dinner. The brotherhoods from each country followed a lady or genRod & Donna Krentel, John & Adrienne Boothby, Arlene Wall

Washington friends, Danny & Debra Price, Glenys & Jim Kaye, Michelle Wise, Susan Loberg, Kathy Long,Walt Rachele, Pat Valas

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tleman dressed in traditional Portuguese costume and we marched in time to the beat. Onlookers cheered and took lots of pictures as we traversed the narrow streets.

Everyone agreed … this was the best FICB parade ever!

Upon our arrival, the ceremony began, and a number of our members were inducted with the rank of Cavaleiro, which means Knight. A “farewell” dinner followed with beautifully plated foods and perfectly timed presentation of the plates at each table. We were once again serenaded by a talented young woman singing Fado who tried her best to help us understand the genre. As we exited the building and began some goodbyes, we were surprised one more time by our hosts who had arranged a fabulous fireworks display over the Douro River with the Port Houses of Porto-Gaia in the background. It was a perfect ending to the 52nd FICB and we said “goodbye” to those not staying for the extension.

Alain Huet (France)

Japan Delegates

Dave Barber & Walt Rachele

Glenys & Jim Kaye

Confraria do Vinho do Porto toast

Bill Stefan

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Marquês de Pombal

Richard Abelkis & Tom Webb

Memebers attending mass

Day 5: After exploring the Porto area, those who had signed up for the extension were excited to continue this adventure giving us a little more time in this beautiful country. That exploration would include learning about and exploring the Alentejo wine region. Today was our “repositioning” from Porto to Lisbon. Along the way, we stopped in the beautiful town of Alpiarça for lunch at Quinta da Atela and then visited a local museum. Casa dos Patudos hosts the collection of Jose Relvas - a local politician who bequeathed his collection and house to the town upon his death. Then it was on to Lisbon for dinner at the hotel to rest up for the upcoming days of wine and Portugal!

Bonnie & Roland Medel

Extension Day 1: Today we traveled from Lisbon on the bus to the Alentejo region, city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city. The first stop was the São João Evangelista Church (Church of St John the Evangelist), where some of our members were enthroned into the Vinho Do Alentejo Brotherhood. This beautiful church was founded in 1485 and is covered by polychrome tiles of the 17th century. Just outside the church was the Templo Romano de Évora, a Roman temple from the 1st century dedicated to Diana, the ancient Roman goddess of the moon. Next there was a parade in our brotherhood regalia through the beautiful streets of Évora followed by lunch at the former Espinheiro Convent. The convent has a rich history starting with an apparition of the image of the Virgin Mary on a thorn tree around 1400. It is now a luxury hotel, spa and conference center and they literally rolled out the red carpet. Toward the end of the day, we were treated to a visit to the Cartuxa Winery, which boasts over 600 hectares of vineyards. Cartuxa white wines mainly use recognized Alentejo varietals such as Roupeiro, Antão Vaz and Arinto, while red wines are obtained from traditional varietals such as Trincadeira, Aragonês and Castelão. After a wonderful visit, we traveled back to Lisbon and enjoyed dinner at the hotel.

Michelle Wise, Dave Barber, Nancy Slick,Walt Rachele, Pat Valas, Pat Alt, Lois Van Vooren

Danny & Debra Price

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Beth & Tom Webb

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Rod Krentel

Extension Day 2: This morning we left for Oeiras, 16 kilometers west of Lisbon, to have wine and lunch in the beautiful Marquês de Pombal Palace and Gardens.

They date back to the 18th century and was a home of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquês de Pombal. In fact, the Marquês made a personal appearance to welcome everyone! The palace also hosts a winery where Carcavelos wine is produced, which can be drunk both as aperitif or digestive. During lunch we were entertained by a small band and dancers demonstrating traditional dances in colorful costumes. After lunch, we drove by Cascais/Estoril with its beaches and lovely old homesteads, as well as the Tower of Belem on the riverfront that looks out at the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries), the 25th of April bridge (which was designed, built by and looks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco) and the Christ the Redeemer monument across the Tagus River on the opposite hill. After a return to the hotel for a rest, we then returned to the Casino Estoril to celebrate the end of our FICB Portugal Congress Extension with a lovely dinner accompanied by music and dancing. We want Walt Rachele to thank the Portuguese Wine Brotherhood Federation who were magnificent hosts and organized a Congress that included unique events, featured great wine and food and, most of all, shared the warmth and friendship that is a hallmark of Portugal. This Congress is sure to be with us for a long time …and we want to say THANK YOU for the memories!

Jo Ann Bingham

Celebrating a Great Congress!

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Active Chapters ARIZONA Arizona Chapter Commander Emeritas John Kovacik (Interim) 3955 N. Tucson Blvd.

Tucson, AZ 85716 Phone: 520-318-1789 jkovacik@cox.net CALIFORNIA Chancellery Chapter Com. Charles “Chik” Brenneman 820 Fremont Way Sacramento, CA 95818 Phone: 916-441-3466 charlesbrenneman@gmail.com Lake Tahoe Region Chapter Commander Ernest D. Grossman P.O. Box 3817 Truckee, CA 96160 Phone: 530-550-0570 Fax: 530-550-0575 ernestgrossman@sbcglobal.net Lodi Chapter Commander Gordon MacKay P.O. Box 506 Lodi, CA 95241-0506 Phone: 209-663-9432 gmackay01@gmail.com Los Angeles Chapter Commander James Hamilton 755 Lakefield Road, Suite A Westlake Village, CA 91361 Phone: 805-496-1304 (day) Fax: 805-494-3976 jbhamilton@sbcglobal.net Monterey Peninsula Chapter Commander Richard Kehoe P. O. Box 221664 Carmel, CA 93922 Phone: 831-277-9868 831-625-3338 kehoedc@sbcglobal.net

Orange County Chapter Commander Thomas E. McCrystal 24001 Muirlands # 76 Lake Forest, CA 92630 Phone: 949-500-2494 Fax: 949-582-9036 cpg@cox.net San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Commander Pat R. Pingitore 19 Aviara Court Napa, CA 94558 Phone: 707-965-2868 prpingitore@gmail.com MISSISSIPPI Gulf Coast Chapter Commander John Boothby P.O. Box 7617 Gulfport, MS 39506 Phone 228-897-1995 228-897-1993 kovgulfcoast@gmail.com Jackson Chapter Contact National Office 4448 W. 12th Street Houston, TX 77055 844-440-8463 NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina Chapter Commander Jeff Price 9404 North Manor Dr Zebulon, NC 27597 Phone: 919-814-2453

919-696-6679 JeffreyHPrice0602@gmail.com

TENNESSEE Tennessee Chapter Commander Bob Bennett 4562 Whisperwoods Drive Collierville, TN 38017 Phone: 901-861-4739 Cell: 954-557-7775 bobbennett13@gmail.com TEXAS Austin Chapter Commander Randy Groves 1036 Liberty Park Dr #16 Austin, TX 78746 Phone: 512-484-6803 randydgoves@aol.com Houston Chapter Commander Buddy Hagner 4448 W. 12th Street Houston, TX 77055 Phone: 713-819-9463 Fax: 713-432-9464 buddy@rchagner.com WASHINGTON, D.C. Nation’s Capital Chapter Commander Kenneth A. Haapala 9634 Boyett Court Fairfax, VA 22032 Phone: 703-978-6025 (day) 703-978-6230 (evening) Fax: 703-978-2258 ken@haapala.com WASHINGTON STATE Washington State Chapter Contact National Office 4448 W. 12th Street Houston, TX 77055 844-440-8463

visit us online at

www.kov.org

Supreme Knights Bradley Alderson David G. Armanasco Ed Auler Susan Auler Carol L. Bade Ted Balestreri Heidi Peterson Barrett Warren W. Bogle, Jr Merrill Bonarrigo Paul V. Bonarrigo James “Bo” Barrett David Berkley Jean-Charles Boisset George H. Carter Mark Chandler James E. Coleman Richard A. Cuneo Frederick Dame Dennis Devine Lucian W. Dressel Gordon R. Dutt, Ph.D. Gary Eberle Tom Eddy Dick Erath Joseph S. Franzia Jeryl R. Fry, Jr. Jack Galante Gina Gallo Miljenko M. Grgich Gary B. Heck Genevieve Janssens Timo Jokinen Gail Kautz John H. Kautz Aram Kinosian John K. Ledbetter Zelma R. Long Lloyd G. Magee George R. McEachern, Ph.D. John P. McClelland J. Douglas Meador R. Michael Mondavi Timothy J. Mondavi Justin Morris, Ph.D. Robert Pellegrini Richard Peterson, Ph.D. Mathew J. Post G.M. “Pooch” Pucilowski George Radanovich Michaela K. Rodeno Scott Scheid Thomas B. Selfridge Raymond Skinner, Jr. Christopher D. Smith Howard E. Somers Richard H. Sommer Mike Thompson Peter H. Ventura Richard P. Vine, Ph.D. Eric Wente Jean R. Wente Fay Wheeler Al Wiederkehr Warren P. Winiarski John H. Wright

Join KOV on Facebook! or online @ www.kov.org The national Facebook page is a closed group and we invite you to join in at Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine.You’ll find similar names with many chapters having their own page as well.

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®

the order of the knights of the vine

National Headquarters 4448 W. 12th Street Houston, TX 77055-7204 Tel: 844.440.8463

Water separates the people of the world; wine unites them.

per vitem! ad vitam!

Through the vine, toward life!