originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
originally posted by Rahsaan:
But it just seems so wrong.
Really? What are you, six?
Vandals opening taps is a never-ending stream (sorry!) including at least, Sparkman (2023), Conte Vistarino (2016),
Kellermeister, (2015), and Soldera (2012).
It's interesting that you mention the Kellermeister situation. The perpetrator was a friend of mine, a well-respected (and very well-liked) winemaker in the Barossa Valley. As you might imagine, I've got mixed feelings about perp's justification for the vandalism but I can't say that I wouldn't have done likewise, having exhausted other avenues of potential resolution.
From a story about the case in the Betoota Advocate, a trusted newspaper source:
"Judge Jane Schammer said it was clear Jones had suffered an emotional breakdown that became worse after the death of his mother when he wrongly believed his father was going to marry a younger woman who would inherit the estate.
"Your counsel outlined the many losses you suffered; the loss of your family business, the loss of your relationship with both your parents, and the loss of your own self-worth, which was very much dependent on your success and reputation as a winemaker," Judge Schammer said."
I've met the old man and he harbored no lack of jealousy since the late 90's when Trevor's winemaking ability had saved the business after he (dad) had driven it to the brink of bankruptcy. It had become one of those wine bus tourism joints, offering a range of bottles made from grapes that came from who-knows-where. Trevor focused on high quality fruit from old vines and totally elevated the program. He also changed part of the branding to an eponymously-named label, and that didn't set too well with his father. Having increased sales and enhancing the label's reputation over the following decade, Trevor was unceremoniously fired and the Kellermeister winery brought in new management and winemaking squads. There were other micro-and-macro-aggressions perpetrated against Mr. Jones, over and above the loss of equity in the family operation. Plenty to get pissed about and events just bubbled over (Trevor uses open top fermentors) one overly boozy night and glug-glug, a couple of pretty big tanks of wine were liberated via gravity down the drain. Following near-unanimous character testimonials by a who's-who of Barossa A-list winemakers and principals, Jones was remanded to three+ years in jail with the sentence suspended pending good behavior on the part of the malfeasor; all accounts indicate that his debt has been paid in full and all is good.
I'm not one for retribution or vendettas nor even for wasting good wine on a hopeless cause, but there are times when you feel that you've exhausted all other avenues, and doing something stupid can seem to be the most sensible move you can make. Been there, done that.
-Eden (My experience has been that in Australia that it's easier to drain wine from a tank than it is to find a horse's head to leave in your enemy's bed. Kangaroo parts are much easier to find should you feel compelled to make sure your messaging comes through)
