There I sat, with a healthy pour of Pinot before me, unable to move, unable to even try the wine, as I tried to grasp the enormity of it all.
I think it is clear for any frequent (or even casual) reader of this blog that I drink more than my fair share of wine. I try to drink good wine all the time and great wine at least some of the time. I also throw back quite a bit of mediocre wine—one of the hazards of the “job” so to speak.
Rarely (never?), however, do I find myself in a position that I literally freeze and can’t bring myself to consume (or at least try) the wine before me. Well, exactly that occurred a few months ago and ever since I have been struggling to find the right prose to express how I came to that point.
It was this past summer and I was on a press trip with three other writers to the state of Oregon. We had started near the southern border with California and traveled up the coast, culminating in Portland, expending nearly a week on the journey. Before we landed in the state’s largest city, though, we stopped in the glorious Willamette Valley for a few nights.
On one of those nights we were guests at Brooks Winery, which despite its fairly modest production (about 12,000 cases), it casts a fairly large shadow over the Valley. Yes, the wines at Brooks are fantastic, but it seems clear even for the casual observer that Brooks’ influence surpasses the wines that they pour from their striking (and fairly new) tasting room.
No, it seems as though Brooks’ lasting influence on the Willamette Valley stems largely from the winery’s founder, the inimitable Jimi Brooks. Jimi founded the winery in 1998, and died just six years later, in 2004, from an aortic aneurysm in his home at the age of 38.
So I sat, not even swirling the wine, trying not to get enveloped by the emotion of the moment. The others, who were happily downing their glasses, surely noticed. I am not the overtly dramatic type, but there I sat, not moving, not talking, and not drinking.
Glass in hand, not drinking.
A short time prior to visiting the winery, I watched, by chance, the documentary film American Wine Story, which chronicles the inspiration of several winemakers and why they left their relatively stable lives to pursue the volatile world of grape growing and wine production.
“Most Americans aren’t born into the industry…they’re pioneers who discovered wine in the unexplored parts of themselves. And for most, before they abandoned a career, mortgaged a house, maxed out a credit card, their stories began with an epiphany, a precise moment when they understood that every bottle of wine contains a little bit of magic.”—American Wine Story.
Although the film weaves in and out of several regions and perhaps a dozen individual histories, the main focus is on Jimi Brooks and Brooks Winery. By all accounts, Jimi was somewhat of a galvanizing force in the region; his alluring personality drew people toward him, and nearer each other in the process.
“I guess everyone knows each other…it’s not that big of an industry. But it was surprising to me that he really did know everyone, and not in just a superficial way. He helped draw a lot of people together… there are a lot of good friends who are friends because of Jimi. He was the magnet and the cement at the same time.”—Tad Seestedt, Ransom Wines & Spirits
I never met Jimi Brooks, but I am pretty sure I would have liked him: he had a passion for wines, history, and philosophy, and many across the region saw him as an inspiration. Chris Williams, for example, the current winemaker at Brooks, got into the industry not so much out of a love for wine, but out of a “passion for [Jimi] I really liked him as a person…everything I was learning was from Jimi, and it was really about feeding off his passion.”
As I sat, untasted wine in hand, I thought about many things: Jimi Brooks, who was born just a few months before I was, people I knew who passed away, others that likely soon will pass. And I thought about the incredible ability of wine to conger up such powerful memories and thoughts.
Plenty of wine by the fire at Brooks.
Just a few days before harvest, Jimi died, and upon hearing the news, his sister, Janie, immediately left her home in Southern California, arriving at Jimi’s house late that night. There, she found the house filled with dozens of people most of whom she didn’t know including many winemakers from the region. She was led into the living room where a group of Jimi’s friends had assembled to explain to Janie how they were going to get through harvest.
“So several of us said: ‘Let’s make it for Jimi. He’d want us to do this.’” —Harry Peterson-Nedry, Chehalem Wines.
Over the course of the day, before Janie had arrived, a full group of winemakers had decided who would take which fruit as they wanted to make Jimi’s wine as a tribute to the man who had meant so much to all of them. They thought what Jimi was doing—a holistic approach to winemaking that focused on the unique qualities of the region’s terroir and his passion to produce expressive and complex Riesling and Pinot—was incredible and it needed to continue.
The barrel wall that honors all those producers that came together to help with the 2004 harvest after Jimi’s death.
The group, each with their own winery to run, could not handle the business side of the endeavor, though, so they asked Janie, who had a business background to handle the finances.
“I said ‘Yes’ because I didn’t know what else to say…. I remember thinking: ‘Who are these people and why do they want to help us so much?’ It took me a while to figure out why they wanted to help us so much.”—Janie Brooks Heuck
“Once someone is dead, there is really nothing you can do for them, but you can do something for their family.”–Tad Seestedt, Ransom Wine and Spirits.
An individual stave from Bergström.
Janie remembers reading in the Atlantic Monthly about a month before Jimi died that he wanted the winery to be a family legacy that he would pass down to his son. She took that as a sign that he was leaving her a message in a way, which encouraged her to take over the business and preserve it for Pascal, his elementary aged son. There were several rather large problems, however. First, Janie had a family and a life of her own in Southern California, and second, as she put it herself, “I didn’t have any idea what I was doing.”
As I continued to sit, my thoughts drifted to my own sons, wondering what would happen to them if I suddenly were no longer there. Had I prepared them enough for their life journey? Would they remember me fondly? Would they be O.K.?
So she called around to several of Jimi’s accounts and distributors to try to understand what her brother was doing that was so unusual and had garnered such admiration, even adoration. After considerable deliberation, she decided to take it on, to preserve Jimi’s legacy. Not only has the winery been successful (going from 3,000 cases to over 12,000 now), running Brooks has enabled Janie to keep Jimi somewhat present, as she is constantly surrounded by people who knew and loved her brother.
After the service, which was held at Jimi’s house, Sam Tannahill approached Janie, who was surveying the crowd: “Do you understand now? Do you see how important Jimi was to all of us?”
“I feel like he’s teaching me things. I feel like this whole experience has been a: ‘You know little sister, you need to get more passionate about what you do and live for the right reasons.’”—Janie Brooks Heuck
We had tasted countless of bottles of wine that night already, so why was I so hung up on this particular glass? We were staying on the property, so after dinner, Janie invited us over to the winery and offered to open a few more bottles to enjoy by the fire. Then she disappeared and brought out one more, a 2004 Brooks Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
I shot Janie a rather inquisiting look and she simply nodded; this was a bottle of that wine, the wine that the community came together to make after Jimi’s death. Here in my glass was an outpouring of love and respect for Jimi Brooks, a vintage that he started but that the incredible community that he built finished.
And Janie decided to share it with us.
While others perhaps saw it as just another glass of wine, I could not help but think what all this bottle, this wine represented, and it was too much to handle.
As for the wine?
After about twenty minutes, I took a sip. At that point it really was no longer about what was in the glass, but rather all that had transpired outside the bottle to ensure that what made it under the cork was a true representation of the man who had inspired so many.
But yeah, as I think Jimi might have said, “it was fucking good.”
the drunken cyclist 
Oh, wow. I was totally impressed with their wine at Pinot in the City but after hearing this story, wow. A beautiful piece and story. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much! They really do a fine job, but the story puts it over the top for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa.
Jeff, this one brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing Jimi’s story, and for writing it with such personal intimacy. What a tribute! You manage to bring all of us together from the wine industry in one post, to honor Jimi and his legacy, representing everyone who has ever found a passion for the grape in their glass. A toast to you, my friend. Santé!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are far too kind my friend, but thanks for the comments!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I give this post at least 3 whoas. Beautifully written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great story. I did not know any of this. I had Brooks wines for the first time last month at Pinot in the City. I thoroughly enjoyed them; however, the 2014 Pinot Blanc was a show stopper…best wine of the day! I am so thankful to now know this story about the winery and Jimi Brooks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michelle, if you ever get a chance to visit, you should. A really beautiful spot in the valley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope I do. Willamette Valley has drawn my attention this year and now I really want to visit.
LikeLike
From you? That means a ton—thank you!
LikeLike
A beautiful post and touching tribute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers, and thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Seriously at the top of best stories I have read. This is an amazing story and you brought tears to my eyes as I was reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, you are far too kind. I do know this was one of the most difficult posts I have ever written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You found the right prose! Lovely read. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Theresa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful and heart warming — thank you Jeff foe taking the time to tell it so vividly and passionately
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment!
LikeLike
wow, beautiful writing, Jeff. I only knew little bits of the story, so thank you for sharing it with all of us. Same as JVB, I pretty much had to hold tears as I was reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anatoli—I was cursing the snow storm, it would have been great to catch up….
LikeLike
the snow storm was very unfortunate – was very much looking forward getting together…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Jeff, this was a true tear-jerker of a post. I can see why it took so long to post. A moment to never forget.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly, it was the hardest post I have tried to write. Since publishing, I have been tempted several times to edit, but thus far have resisted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great read.I am proud of the wines Chris makes to promote the Brooks name.If in the area everyone should visit and meet the great team at Brooks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Ellen! I did not get much of a chance to spend all that much time with Chris, but he seems to be a great guy. You deserve to be very proud!
LikeLike
Wonderful post. I’ve just shared it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post Emma, and even more so for sharing it!
LikeLike
What a touching post about the human relationships behind every wine, whatever it tastes like. Thanks for this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, thank you! Wine is truly amazing, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Wow! Incredibly moving post. Solid testament to the lasting impact your life can have on those around you. Thanks for sharing Jeff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That you so much Allison! Coming from you, this is truly a compliment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful article, it may be your best one to date. The perfect narrative with the proper deference, and the wines must have been awesome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw, shucks, thanks John! You should know that you are one of the people I “write for”—when I get stuck, or am searching for words, I imagine you reading the post, which helps to bring clarity. So thank you….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brooks has some fantastic wine. While I didn’t know Jimi, I have met Harry Peterson-Nedry from Chehalem several times, and he is a truly wonderful man. I can absolutely see him stepping in to help. What a touching story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brooks really does a great job and there is an ethos with the place that is hard to describe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tom.
LikeLike
What a great piece Jeff! Heartfelt and beautifully written. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Martin, from you, that truly means a lot!
LikeLike
I know I’m late to this party, and although I’ve never tasted this wine, I feel like I have, just from reading this post! Beautifully written, narrated, and totally solidifies all of the reasons why I love wine so much! Keep telling stories like this Jeff! Salute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Joy!
LikeLike
What a remarkable story, beautifully written about an amazing young man and, his very beautiful, devoted sister Janie. I feel Their parents, Jim and Peggy are watching the success of their children from above.
LikeLike
Indeed, very impressive, their parents were no doubt very proud!
LikeLike
Ah, how this made me cry! A tribute to the passion that goes into the glass. True heart. This is what brings wine lovers together. Cheers to you Drunken Cyclist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the comment–I doubt I had ever been so moved….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing this lovely post Jeff. Neal & Alyse (Winery Wanderings) introduced me to Brooks while I was tasting in the area with family last fall. What a great place with lovely wines. That story though….gets me every time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is an amazing story, I get misty every time I think of it.
LikeLike
Great article thanks for sharing that. I did get to meet Jimmy Brooks a couple times while attending IPNC, he was a awesome winemaker, and a real gentleman and I feel fortunate to have met him and called him a friend. Cheers!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I am jealous. I never met Jimi, but from the stories I have heard, he seems to have been one heck of a guy….
LikeLike
I was moved by your article. Gibran said that “work is love made visible”. Thank you for sharing your experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing and inspiring story. Rarely, if ever, do we take the time to learn about and appreciate the history behind the wines that we’re drinking, when the history is what makes each wine unique and special in its own right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ma not the first to say that there is a “story in every glass of wine” and while some are more compelling than others, you are right, we need to take more time to reveal them.
LikeLike