Love is an enormous word, despite only four letters

LOVEIMAGES3x2

In February we turn our focus to Love. Exalted, extolled, and exploited, Love is an integral part of our lives, yet rarely explored. For example, saying, “I love you” for the first time is a huge threshold in any relationship; but we easily bandy the word about for preferences (I love popcorn), activities (I love to ski), bodily functions (I love a good sleep) in closing letters, or of Country.

Valentine’s Day hails back to the Roman Empire and prior, relating to fertility, the mating season for birds, and ultimately St. Valentine. He was a martyr, killed for conducting the marriages of soldiers despite Claudius’ decree that they remain single, better suited for battle.

Love deserves its due, so February 14 is of special significance around the world. It happens to be Jennifer’s birthday. We remain in partnership because there were things we loved more than we didn’t love each other: love of our children, of course, and this little winery, Halleck Vineyard. And through our work together these 18 years since we separated in marriage, we were able to redefine family, discovering a love that transcends our differences and any illusion of love we had as young adults.

Love represents connection rather than division, so timely in this period of polarization. In exploring our hearts, it’s what we experience in compassion. We employ vineyard workers residing legally that we trust and rely upon who are being terrorized by fear. We love them. Not because they serve us, but because we serve each other. It breaks our hearts that their families and way of life are being threatened by the fear that fuels public sentiment. There is a mutuality about love that transcends “otherness”, because, in truth, we all need each other. This has never been more true. Love is the opposite of fear.

Simpatico is a wonderful word borrowed from the Spanish and Italians. Of course we turn to these heartfelt cultures in exploring Love. Meaning to have shared qualities, or like-mindedness, simpatico conveys so much more. We are simpatico with all who contribute to bringing wine into your lives; beyond our vineyard workers, there’s the cooper toasting his barrel in France, our silk-screen printer applying our logos to the bottles, the “cellar-rat” punching down grape skins, and Rick Davis, who oversees our winemaking, from start to finish. We’ve a shared mission that erupts in Love: love of team, of activity, of product, of each other. It’s a passion that exudes from every glass.

So during this Valentine’s Day season, when celebrating Love, please embrace the connection represented beyond our primary relationships: to our extended families, friends, colleagues, neighborhoods, cities, counties, states, Country and the world. Our Community.

Enjoy a bottle of wine in celebration. Wine has been called “the elixir of the Gods” for good reason. Sharing wine elevates a conversation, enhancing intimacy, which builds Community.

Wine and Love both have four letters.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Love, 
Ross, Jennifer, and Stephanie

Subscribe

Join us in our mission of building community through wine.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Our Sponsor

Ross Halleck

Ross Halleck

Ross moved to Sonoma County in 1991 with Jennifer to develop a Pinot Noir vineyard in the Sonoma Coast region. He shepherds the spirit of the earth into every glass of Halleck Vineyard wine.

Wine Events Calendar

African Safari: Wine & Wildlife Expedition

Join Sonoma vintner Jennifer Halleck on an unforgettable journey to Africa, where you will explore the wonders of this vibrant continent and share your passion for wine with fellow enthusiasts.…

Read More
A group of girlfriends enjoying Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc at Halleck Vineyard winery in Sonoma, along with their cute little doggy who is a member of the Halleck Vineyard dog club. The women take in the beautiful views of the earth and savor the delicious taste of seafood paired perfectly with the Sauvignon Blanc. They also learned about the art of winemaking from the expert winemakers at Halleck Vineyard while enjoying artisanal cheese and participating in an auction to benefit the local community.

2023 Harvest Party

Library Tasting, Fresh Oysters, Buffet Lunch, and Live Music…

Read More

Wine Tasting & MLB Baseball: Giants vs Rockies

JOIN HALLECK VINEYARD AT THE BALLGAME!
JULY 8TH
IN THE BASELINE BOX AT ORACLE PARK, SAN FRANCISCO

Watch the game from this dugout at 1st base while enjoying Halleck Vineyard wines with Ross,…

Read More

Recent Posts

The 6 Best Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner (2020)

The holiday season is here! We’re sure you’ve got a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner planned and, whether you’re gathering in person or over Zoom, we want your holiday meal to be a smashing success. …

Read More...

Caring for an Adult

It feels like yesterday when we planted Halleck Vineyard. Jennifer was combing the Yellow Pages looking for rootstock, stumbling across a single-line listing for John Caldwell under “Nurseries.”…

Read More...

Sonoma Wine Tasting in Sebastopol