A Jolly View Inc.

Winning Combination:  The Doctor, Black Bart and The Water Witch

 

Life can be quite serendipitous with its twists and turns.  Most people call them coincidences, but I do not believe in coincidences.  I am one of those “everything happens for a reason” people and spend a great deal of time trying to determine the why.  This issue’s UnCorked article comes from such a fateful event.

Recently the charter brokers at The Catamaran Company had a brain storming session surrounding clever topics for eBlasts.  One broker discovered that Black Bart, the pirate, had a birthday coming up.  He was an interesting pirate because he became one purely by accident.  He was also a refined pirate dressing in the latest fashion and preferring order over chaos complete with afternoon tea, which is unusual in the world of piracy.  What struck me of the story is it reminded me of a tale told to me one evening at a wine dinner hosted by Sandy Huffine, Brand Ambassador for Krupp Brothers. 

You see, Krupp Brothers have their own Black Bart – well, two actually – brother Bart Krupp and the legendary Charles Earl Bowles aka Black Bart.  This Black Bart robbed stagecoaches instead of ships but the interesting bit is that he too was a gentleman among thieves.  Known for his style and sophistication as well as leaving poetic messages behind after robberies.  He robbed the land where Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard now sits.

An expanse of land that required the removal of more than a billion pounds of volcanic rock over a seven year period before they even started looking for water.  Quite an endeavor for the doctor from Pinole.   Now this is where our story begins.  Have you ever heard of a Water Witch?

 Dowsing, or Water Witching, is “the use of a forked twig, or divining rod, in locating minerals, finding hidden treasure, or detecting criminals is a curious superstition that has been a subject of discussion since the middle of the sixteenth century and still has a strong hold on the popular mind, even in this country, as is shown by the large number of inquiries received each year by the United States Geological Survey as to its efficacy, especially for locating underground water, and the persistent demands that it be made a subject of investigation, by the Survey.”  This is the opening paragraph from the 1917 Department of Interior Water-Supply Paper 416, “The Diving Rod, A History of Water Witching.”  Nearly 100 years later, Water Witching is alive and well. 

As a matter of fact, there were three major events that nearly stopped brothers Jan and Bart Krupp.  There were the rocks of course, an issue with easement and vandalism from their neighbors and a seemingly inaccurate report from a noted geologist who drilled five holes, 300 feet deep yielding no water on the property.  Before throwing in the proverbial towel and heading back to Pinole to go back to building up his medical practice, the brothers decided to call upon the ancient art of dowsing, water witching.

Using a water witch who walked the property with a pair of copper divining rods, they were able to find an underground stream at a depth of 400 feet.  This extra 100 feet was exactly what they needed to find water at each of the five dry well sites and the Stagecoach property was born.

 

Paying homage to the major players in our story, Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard offers some delicious juice under their label:

The Doctor

Named for the Doc himself, Dr. Jan Krupp dreamed up this luscious, layered wine – a seamless, unique blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Franc with hints of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec.   With its dark garnet hue, this extraordinary blend opens with aromas of raspberry and black cherry interlaced with white pepper and clove. The lush palate is dominated by flavors of cassis, blackberry, toffee, smoked duck and oak, which carry through to a lengthy finish. Pair with venison in huckleberry sauce and pork belly with cherry chutney.

Black Bart

Named for the 19th century stagecoach robber and Krupp brother, Bart, this Syrah will steal your senses. This delicious vintage scored a rating of 94 from Robert Parker.   Brimming with boysenberry, blackberry, dark cherry, black pepper and cloves. Flavors of blueberry, dark chocolate covered coffee beans and maple-glazed bacon envelop the palate. Richly textured with round tannins that persist into a long finish. Pair with lamb chops in a balsamic demi-glace and porcini mushroom risotto.

              Prefer a white?  Meet Black Bart’s Bride

Exotic blend of Viognier and Roussanne with aromas of white peach, pear, honeysuckle and a hint of vanilla. Lovely flavors of orange blossom and apricot pie lead to a rich, creamy finish. Pair with Thai green seafood curry and risotto milanese. 

The Water Witch

Paying tribute to the ancient art of dowsing that made Stagecoach Vineyard and Krupp Brothers possible, this wine evokes the mystical powers of its namesake. Aromas of bright cherry and tobacco with flavors of mocha and boysenberry. Paying tribute to the ancient art of dowsing that made Stagecoach Vineyard and Krupp Brothers possible, this wine evokes the mystical powers of its namesake. Brimming with black currant, boysenberry and anise, Water Witch displays vibrant flavors of bright cherry, mocha, blueberry and caramelized oak. A lush mid palate, balanced acidity and fine-grained tannin culminate in a rich, elegant finish. Pair with roasted lamb with braised white beans in lamb ragu and pomegranate.

Beyond its stature as a premium vineyard, there is Stagecoach’s rugged beauty. Rare holly-leaf ceonothus plants and an expansive skyline are filled with birds of prey and countless reptiles and mammals. Among the sprawling acres of thriving vines and volcanic chaparral slopes are the gnarly remnants of an old vineyard created by the area’s first settlers. And the storied Water Witch’s Well lies near the vineyard entrance to Stagecoach, evidence of the powerful union of luck and perseverance that made this place possible. The spirit of Black Bart – who intimately knew and rode this verdant backcountry – is clearly still at home.

Coincidence?  Or a twist of fate combining two adventurous paths … one by land and one by sea??  I know which one I believe J 

You will find these and other great wines by Krupp Brothers on select charters through The Catamaran Company.  Watch for “Water Witch” coming to the BVI in 2017.