Wine & Fishing & Archeology and Civil War Re-Enactments
Pursuits, hobbies and interests are constantly being categorized across the Internet. Invariably, "Wine" ends up being categorized under "Lifestyle". Occasionally you see it under "Culinary" or "Home". But it's "Lifestyle" under which the consumption of fermented grapes appears most often.
It's no surprise then that the "Wine Lifestyle" is so often combined with other "lifestyle" pursuits to create unique and interesting events that the organizers hope will extend its attraction.
The most interesting example of this I've seen lately is WINE ON THE FLY.
"Wine On The Fly" is a luxury fly fishing excursion scheduled for August combined with a series of
private wine dinners and tastings featuring some of America's most famous winemakers, all set in Montana. Among the winemakers that will be on hand to eat, sip and mingle with the fly fisherman are Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, Hiedi Barret of cult winemaker fame,
Justin Hunnicutt Stephens of Hunnicutt Wines and D.R. Stephens Estate, and Mike Hendry of Hendry Winery. A pretty damn impressive line up of wine talent.
Is fly fishing and wine appreciation a bit far afield from one another to make sense? Intuitively one would think that having to find folks whose interests combine BOTH fly fishing and wine drinking would mean your target audience might be reduced. But I'm not sure that's the case. In fact, it might just expand the organizer's target audience. Those with a passing interest in wine but a real interest in fishing may be compelled to jump at the chance. And those with a real interest in wine but only a budding interest in fly fishing my be pushed over the edge in going on the trip.
I don't know much about fly fishing. I used to do a lot of bass fishing. It was just sedentary enough to appeal to me while promising the possibility of resulting in something I could brag about. I think their must be some spiritual connection between the fly fishing avocation and the appreciation of wine. But I need someone to comment here and explain it. I have a feeling it will be a fascinating connection.
In the end, the point I want to make is this: By combining what appear to be entirely different interests into on event, and by having one of those interests be wine, the promotion of wine and wine drinking and the wine lifestyle is expanded. We've seen it work with other combinations: Wine & Golf, Wine & Music, Wine & Movies, Wine & Art. There's no reason to believe other, perhaps seemingly obscure combinations might not also work.
Wine & Archeology?
Wine & Architecture
Wine & Civil War Reenactments?
Wine & Politics?
Wine & Philosophy?
Wine & Tennis
Wine & Biology
I wonder if the list possible affinities is endless or unfortunately short?
I had considered WINE & MEDICINE, but Chris Kissack and Tyler Coleman had the relevant domain names registered.
The list is endless– Anything experiential works
Two others come to mind..
Wine and Animal Husbandry
Wine and Catfish Noodling
I need to register some urls quick!
What’s important to understand is that people are multi-dimensional. We easily forget that someone interested in wine may in fact be a fly fishermen, or, at the very least adventurous enough to try it as something new. The possibilities are endless, and what’s more important is that the experience afforded leaves attendees with an appreciation for both activities.
I will see if I can locate the fly fishing expert who produced his series of training films in a facility in which I worked a few years. It was a long time ago. An initial impression would be a likely synergy if the expedition has a lodge or several cabins as bases, where still table wines might be preserved without excessive mechanical vibrations which alter many components of good wines.
Beyond that I might admit to a series of slight disqualifications, having preferred fishing as more of a meditation than an imbibing experience, and adhering to that concept, never intermixing the two activities.
Also, I preferred bait to flies. The difficulty with fly fishing is it is endlessly more energetic than most forms of fishing, requires great accuracy, and even a widely open eye for the insect life around each prized stream, so flies chosen are the same sort as attract the fish.
However, I tend to keep activities separate by personal preference, so my views are uniquely personal.
Additionally, I have adventured in the outdoors enough to grasp the wholesale shift to unnaturalness in the environments in which fish live in our modern times compared to prior; so, if I were to venture to some new retreat to fish, it might be much like the images in the post, remote, in places most people are unlikely to appear to fish. Some of the photos of modern day Alaska look promising in that respect, but very few are left accessible in the US. And in my experience the closer one travels to the East Coast, the worse the fishing becomes.
Another issue is hatchery stock intermixing with wild fish. Give a fly fishing devotee wild fish and there is a match preordained in some palace of the gods, worth learning to tie one’s own artificial imitations of real insects.
As a fly fisherman for over 30 years, and as wine maker as well, I can attest to the fact that both do, in fact, go together quite nicely.
Fly fishing, and flyfishing in Montana in particular, renews ones appreciation for the finer things in life. The incredible beauty of the great outdoors, the camaraderie of close friends, the enjoyment of food and fine wine after a beautiful day on the river.
I’ve even been known to carry a bottle of Riesling in my vest, chilled in the cool river water and enjoyed with a streamside picnic.
I am also an avid angler (20 years) and in the wine industry. Fly fishing and wine are my two biggest passions in life, more like my religions. It is my deep appreciation and love for both that I decided to put this “Wine on the Fly” event together. It has been my experience that, while not all wine enthusiasts fly fish, many fly fishers do indeed enjoy wine.
To me there’s nothing like the solitude of the mountains and the rivers that carve their way through them. Fly fishing is spectacular in its simplicity, yet amazing with its many complexities. Wine is a romantic expression of not only the land and vines from where it came, but also from those spirited individuals who put themselves into the growing of the grapes and the making of the wine. Fine wine and fly fishing do indeed go hand in hand.
My goal for this event is not to appeal simply to those who consider themselves “advanced,” whether in the fishing or wine arenas, but for all of those who find themselves interested in either or both. Wine and fly fishing are two very enjoyable arts and neither should be intimidating to anyone interested in learning more. And, as stated by Karl in one of the previous posts, there is something extra “special” about Montana that only brings out the best; it is quite a magical place and, to me, the only place that would really suit Wine on the Fly.
I love to talk both wine and fly fishing for any who is interested!
I’ve been known to do Wine & Rockets, but prudently not at the same time. Wine is best consumed after the propellant handling is over for the day. I find that Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant pairs very nicely with a chewy Syrah.
I looked around for some documentation of me actually performing this activity, but I always seem to be behind the camera. All I did find was a few photos of a rubber chicken ride-along, hope you enjoy:
http://www.rocstock.org/photos/pix.rsxix_11.html