luke
A Wine Named Luke.
This wine is a tribute to my Dad, Bruce Kent Osborne. It is vintage 2016, the same vintage that I am typing, and I am pre-selling it to raise money for a miracle.
At the beginning of this harvest, we learned of Dad’s diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer. Receiving a phone call like this between vineyards, on our way to a pick, took me far from where I physically sat. It was a long drive that day, and by the time we reached vineyard number two I knew that a) I couldn’t fly to Montana that night as three tons of Grenache were waiting to become ours, and b) I had to do all I could to keep my incredible father in this world, and maybe these grapes could help me do it.
And so a wine was born: a blend of the two most incredible grapes I know, Graciano and Grenache. 55% Graciano, from Shake Ridge Ranch ~ the vineyard we had just left upon receiving the phone call ~ and 45% Grenache from Provisor Vineyard, where my baby and I had sunrise prayers the next day.
Incredible presence meets the definition of grace.
The wine is called Luke, in celebration of one of the dearest tributes to friendship I know.
All proceeds will go to my father’s challenging year ahead, as that is the time frame they have given him, and why the wine will be pre-sold whilst in barrel. A barrel called Luke.
And some insight into the name…. As a typically fun-loving lad in his twenties, Dad began to call all of his favorite people Luke. His female friends, his male friends, any waiter or bartender who had the good grace of enjoying an evening with his laughter… The name became synonymous with fun, with friendship, with humour, and with him. To see Dad with all of his friends now, is a funny thing. Their twenties were a few moons ago for everyone now, yet everyone stills calls each other Luke. And when they dine together, the reservation is always under Luke. “Table for Luke?”, brings instant smiles from all in attendance.
Dad lives in Montana now with his beautiful new bride, and his tribe of Lukes are scattered across the US (and one in NZ). But I know what name he still makes his dinner reservations under, and how the phone calls begin and end with his most precious friends. There will soon be 555 bottles of Luke to continue the celebration. And 55 Magnums…
Dad’s lucky number is 5, and I am bringing in the magic with all the 5s I can muster.
Please contact me with any questions, or prayers, or news of miracles xxx
U P D A T E on the heart-full project that is Luke.
My dear Dad’s battle with Adenocarcinoma was not one that could be won. The advancement of this form of cancer was faster than any of us dared fear, and his decline could only be lifted by stories and memories and love.
Luckily, Luke helped with all three. The gift of hearing Dad’s voice lift with each new Luke customer, and then seeing it firsthand once harvest was over, is a gift I will forever be grateful for. Friends from around the globe responded to our call for hope, with hope. And the proceeds from each bottle sold helped Dad’s remaining weeks be as comfortable as divinely possible.
All remaining proceeds will go to the Lustgarten Foundation in New York, founded for and focused on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and cure for Pancreatic cancer. For as Dad said, “Life is not perfect, but it is so marvelously wonderful “.
To your marvelously wonderful legacy, dear Papa. xoxox