Oh wine. How I adore thee. From my very first sip of the sweetest and cheapest Moscato available, to my refined adult pallet choices as of late, wine has been a constant source of joy in my 3+ years of legal alcohol consumption. But it wasn't until this past year, taking a job at Franklin Hill Vineyards in Bangor, PA that I began to explore the complexity and beauty that is the world of wines. It has been this experience as well as my growing transition into a full future "wine mom" status that has inspired me to put into words the deep feelings I have for the grapey goodness.

Dear Wine,

As you already know, you didn't quite have me at Merlot. In fact, the deep burgundy hues of a cabernet or merlot mystified and intimidated me. At 21, I was still drinking whatever I could most easily get my hands on and whatever in no way shape or form tasted like alcohol. I first met wine I could love in the sweet and delicious Moscatos, or the fun flavored favorites like Cotton Candy, mango and blueberry with fun names like Carnival, Desire, and Bliss. I hadn't known, until then that wine could come in fun flavors, or be mixed with my favorite liquor and sipped on my pool deck as easy as any mixed drink on a summer day. I had assumed, until this time, that wine was for the sophisticated and stuffy subset of society, and I had grown up in a beer drinking household. I didn't know that you, wine, could accept me just as I am.

In college, you were a staple of girl's night fun. Whether it was a birthday, or just a Wednesday, wine became the common ground that my roommates and I could agree on, even if we were still arguing about our Netflix option. As we moved into our adult lives, and stepped away from the parties in random basements phases of college, there was nothing more grown up and cool than sharing a bottle (or two) of wine with people I loved in the home we made for ourselves. Wine, by this point you had made yourself a little home within my heart already, and I was ready to take the next step in our relationship.

Fast forward a bit, 24 and working my way through graduate school, you found me in an unexpected way. I already began a love affair with the wine produced in the vineyard in my own backyard due to many friends working there over the years. These beautiful, bright and fun girls who rocked "Live Happy" t-shirts (that in no way seemed ironic) were everything I wanted to be. Having fun at their job, getting to know people from all walks of life, and being in the closest proximity to some really stellar vino. When the opportunity presented itself to become one of these ladies, I jumped at the chance! Admittedly, I didn't know much about the vineyard, the process of making wine, or even the difference between a cabernet and a port. But I figured, I knew one thing, that I loved wine, so the rest I was ready to learn.

And learn I did. These past few months I have grown to have a new appreciation for your wine. I have learned to appreciate the care in which your growers and makers put in each season to get you just right. I've learned to share a passion for what we do at the vineyard from our owner down to the newbies like me, and that we are truly a family there that shares a common goal and mission to produce great wine in a great atmosphere. I've learned to appreciate the subtle and unique flavors and components that you possess and the minds that have creatively dreamed them up. I have even been able to appreciate the change in my own pallet, as I can now say I love so many varieties and types-- it's like being introduced to the entire buffet after only every ordering the same menu staple for years. Wine, I have found that you are as unique and different and special as all of the people who drink you and that there is a wine for every person out there if they are brave enough to try.

What I'm trying to say here wine, is that even though you didn't have me at Merlot, I've really learned to love the wine I'm with.

Love your eternal wine girl,

Cate