A night at Lange Estate Winery

The impetus for our trip to Oregon probably isn’t what you think. When was the last time you traveled across the country for a book reading? Because that is exactly what we did. Of course we incorporated other activities, but had our friends at Lange not told us about the reading, the trip wouldn’t have happened.

The Grail takes place over a two-year period—condensed to a year in the book for fluidity—over which the author tails winemaker Jesse Lange while searching for the best Pinot Noir this world has to offer. He immerses himself in vineyard life, the good, the bad, the frantic, the hilarious—but most importantly, the passionate.

[I just noticed that one gentleman in the photo, who appears to be preparing himself for the impending meteor crash only he is aware of. Sir in the blue—this is not a laughing matter.]

Like an obsessed Harry Potter devotee who buys a replica wand or time turner pendant necklace from a Skymall magazine, I went on my own muggle quest for Don and Jesse Lange’s Pinots. Of the four I cobbled together, I wrote about two—the ’07 Willamette Valley and the ’07 Willamette Valley Reserve—thus starting a conversation with the folks at Lange.

[The winemaker and the author.]

Despite having traveled 3000 miles and being positioned in a hotel 10 minutes from the vineyard, we managed to arrive almost 30 minutes late. My watched stopped at 5:25, tricking me into thinking that time was virtually standing still while we sipped a gin and tonic in the late afternoon sun on the balcony at The Allison. I just managed to keep the rental car on the winding dirt road while leaving a wake of dust that mimicked a space shuttle launch—we were the last people to arrive.

[Shani pouring in the tasting room.]

Carey will tell you that what follows was like Christmas morning—listening to a writer she truly enjoys, in person, reading passages aloud. (I think she was having delusions it was her up there, reading passages from her yet unpublished comedic gem, but don’t tell her I said so.) She asked one nerdy question pertaining to writing and editing (having been both, respectively), and, satisfied with Brian’s response, settled into her leather shorted seat and sipped her Pinot for the duration of the reading.

If you didn’t get the passion—and all the other emotions, for that matter—coming across when reading The Grail, you did at the reading. We laughed incessantly as Brian read aloud some memorable parts of the book, and chuckled through Jesse’s interjections, and their own banter looking back on the events recounted.

[Bryan Doyle, Chris Jiron, Christine Collier, Carey, me, and Jesse Lange.]

Despite the professional question-asker in the audience, I was able sneak one in about the signed ’97 Reserve I picked up online. Should I open it? Or was it destined for memorabilia status? Outstanding in my glass, or art on my counter? According to Jesse, I got a solid bottle—the ’97’s are holding up well. I felt like a very savvy, big time wine buyer in front of the group, no one needed to know that I only paid $20!—Sotheby’s here I come.

Thanks to Shani, Brian, Jesse and everybody who put together this fun event. Maybe Carey and I will fly back next year to hear another few passages. One incredible evening.

-Rob