I and several other regulars have been helping Ed bottle for many years. Yes, it’s work and occasional long days, but it’s become a social group, too. We’ve had football playoff pizza parties (with wine, of course!). Lunch during bottling is “guess the wine”. We each bring a bottle and try to guess what it is. A great way to stay humble. Bottom line for me is I’m gonna miss seeing Ed. One of the real nice guys in the business and his wines are terrific.
Gift article. Hopefully, non-subscribers can read it.
Fortunately it is readable, at least today, thank you, Larry.
Scared me a bit, the ‘closing up shop’ part, but fortunately it’s just that he’s moving, his Sandler and August West labels intact…just looking for a new home
Thanks for the link, Larry - I was paywalled out before. A lot of us will miss having Ed and his winery in SF. In addition to bottling work I’ve been working there part-time during crush since 2021 and a little back in 2019 as well. So I’ll miss that for sure. And I’ll miss seeing the other winemakers and custom crush clients too. I’ll probably see some of them from time to time but not as much as I used to.
Wishing everyone the best as they continue in other places from now on!
Ed Kurtzman, who I have called Mr K for many years, is gold. Solid gold. He’s sent me boxes and boxes of his wines the past 19 years for my annual charity event. Every year. He and Brian Loring helped me start my event, Falltacular, and I will always owe he and Ed a great debt for being part of it since the beginning. Generous, humble, both Brian and Ed.
Ed, I wish you the best as you find your way into preserving the legacy of AW and Sandler, but please know those wines, your generosity and support, have helped so many families and women these past 2 decades.
I can only repeat what others have already written. Ed - you are one of the nicest and kindest individuals in this industry. Wishing you all the best for the future!
Ed, let me add my best wishes for whatever the future brings. This thread reminded me it’s been more than 20 years since we first met at the “Pisoni weekend” back in 2004, and your first AW release, the '02 Rosella’s. We’ve enjoyed each other’s company over the years, both in San Francisco and Houston, and your wines will always have a special place in our cellar. Please let me know if you’ll be headed to Colorado this winter as it would be great to see you again!
Andrew is winemaker at La Honda Winery in Redwood City. They manage a bunch of Santa Cruz Mountains vineyards and sell locally (retail, restaurant, club members).
Ed just told that the maker of Merry Prankster wine is none other than Andrew Vingiello. I’ve been afraid to open my bottle but now I feel safe. The packaging is fantastic.I posted it on my Instagram account. The cabernet is all Santa Cruz Mtn fruit.
Ed may be the most charming man in our business. He talked to my neighbor for five minutes and she suggested dinner. I talk to a woman for five minutes and she says she has a headache.
What was the original title? So many people texted and emailed that they heard the sad news. I’m hoping they hadn’t read the whole article and that I’m not shutting down my labels.
All the VinDependence Days and MC 2024 wines will bottled Sept 11 and 12, so anyone wondering about those, they are still in the works.
Bottom line for me is I’m gonna miss seeing Ed. One of the real nice guys in the business and his wines are terrific.