Reconnecting with my wine origins
Photo courtesy of BobBarclay.com
Every so often somebody will ask me how I entered the world of wine. I’ve always replied that I once roomed with a couple of guys back in the 80’s, one of whom, unlike me, had grown up in a wine family. By the time I had met him in our mid-twenties, he had developed such an intense passion about wine that he had amassed quite a sheaf of tasting notes. That housemate was a fellow by the name of Bob Barclay.
I had met Bob through our other housemate, Dan Cilberti, and together the three of us, with Bob’s direction, had embarked on an exploration of wine, whether at the house or on tours to, as I recall, Napa Valley and Lake County. With Bob’s exuberant guidance, I had become intrigued about wine, too, and in the next years found myself hosting wine tastings of my own.
When 1984 rolled around, Bob and Dan both went their merry ways. Unfortunately, I lost contact with them both after a time. But I always remembered Bob; in fact, these days, as more people ask me about my wine origins, the more I have thought of him. Little did I know that this blog would lead me to him.
Fast forward to 2007. I’m lurking among a showroom of exotic cars awaiting the start of the Wine 2.0 conference, when I lock eyes with a man who looks incredibly familiar. Instantly, we reach the same conclusion, both of us saying, “I know you, don’t I?” And before you know it, Bob Barclay and I thrust out our hands toward each other and begin reminiscing about a time 26 years ago when together we tasted the likes of 1974 Freemark Abbey and 1978 Joseph Phelps cabernets. Oh, we were spoiled then. I didn’t know how much! I guess you could say that I’ve been endeavoring to catch up to those days ever since, seeking to taste wines that evoked those times.
Truly, it was good to see that Bob is still as passionate about wine as he was way back then. It was also good to once again clink glasses with Bob, my presence at Wine 2.0 indicating that his passion had indeed rubbed off on me. These days, Bob lives in Sonoma County where he runs his own commercial photography and podcast outfit, www.BobBarclay.com. Dear reader, I recommend checking out Bob’s online portfolio of camera work, much of which is wine-related and well-composed, both in landscapes and in product shots.
Bob, here’s to ya, pal! You’re one of two extraordinary people who guided me originally down the winehiking path I tread today.*
*The other is Don Carre, my high school music teacher and Backpacking Club advisor.
