Bird-related Wine Corks!

WINE TALK
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I have two Vs today!





Vavasour
https://vavasour.com/ This site is currently down for renovations.
Google tells me that a vavasour is a Medieval Latin term for a feudal vassal, a person owing allegiance to a lord.
The following snippets are from Wine.com.
“Vavasour is the founding winery of Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, with 196 acres of estate vineyards that produce acclaimed Sauvignon Blancs with distinctive oyster-shell minerality. Considered too extreme for winegrowing when Peter Vavasour boldly planted the region’s first vineyards in 1986. A spirit of daring, veracity, and custodianship is as integral to our wines as the rooster crest featured on our label. Both are reflections of the Vavasour family’s storied past in Anglo-Norman England, where an early Vavasour forebear is believed to have been a taster for William the Conqueror”.
The ratings for the varieties I ran across are very high and very enthusiastic, especially Sauvignon Blanc (many recent years) and Pinot Gris.
Here is our rooster. Indeed he is a fabulous jaunty fellow with a rather imperious pose. I absolutely LOVE that the owners explained their choice of masthead. But… is he a vassal? If they say so! Looks like more of a lord to me.
New Zealand

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Vireo Wines
A Goose Ridge Variety. https://www.gooseridge.com/
I have three Goose Ridge corks so far. I didn’t find a separate website for Vireo, but the Goose Ridge site says “One of our flagship wines, the 2013 Vireo is a refined blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The classic combination of Merlot and Cabernet creates a rich and elegant structure. The Syrah layers deep, concentrated fruit flavors of plum, black berry and kirsch into the wine. An intense, supple mid-palate transitions into an evolving, spicy and jammy finish.”
I only found a few casual (not professional) tasting reviews for Vireo Reds, which were positive.
https://m.vintagepoint.com/wine/2013-vireo-red-wine/
My friend, whose favorite summer bird is the Vireo, shared this. Vireos forage calmly, seeming to sneak up from lower branches on a single perch before pouncing on slow-moving prey, such as caterpillars. They have a loud, rollicking warble. They are also cute, perky little birds.
WA

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242

Kalbarri Cellars
The site displays a very varied set of entertainments and activities… camping, recreational vehicle caravans and camps, drone “trips”, an extensive wine shop with tasting, dining, area tours, and links/joint ventures with other local businesses and churches.

By the way, the Kalbarri area was named after an Aboriginal man from the Nanda tribe and is also the name of an edible seed.
As for their own wines, their Cabernet Sauvignons received positive feedback. Kalbarri | Winery
The bird on their labels and corks is a Kookaburra, I believe, nicely rendered, and well-suited and sized to the name.
Ever hear these guys “laugh”? AU
Kookaburra call (Two Laughing Kookaburra Laughing) SO LOUD! - YouTube

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Hard to live up to that pair of hysterical kookaburras…
Did you know that a flock of them is called a riot?
A pair of them is called — wait for it — yep, a pair.

Anywayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, this is the last of my most recent batch of acquisitions, so the thread will chill for a while. Apologies to those of you who had become accustomed to the exhilarating parade of corks lately!! lololololololololol I am currently trying to figure a way to schmooze a neighborhood wine shop into letting me rifle through the huge barrel of corks they have in their window for decoration/display.

So here is…

Ironstone Vineyards!
The Kautz Family’s Ironstone Vineyards is a California winery that is noted for the production of several leading American wine brands, including Obsession Wines, Leaping Horse Vineyards, Christine Andrew, Stone Valley, and Drifting. As of 2004, Ironstone has been listed as the 17th-largest winery in the United States. That isn’t enough for ya? They have a museum with exhibits displaying the geological and archaeological prehistory, and the history all the way from early native inhabitants onwards through Gold Rush days.
Entertainment venues and activities seem limitless, really!
And the wines are no joke: scan these awards at your leisure. http://www.gocalaveras.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/files/Calaveras-Wines-Awards-Accolades2.pdf
But I could get endlessly caught up in the grand venues and nooks and crannies of the Ironstone mini-megauniverse. Let’s look at the bird, which really meets the challenge here. They are very sustainability-conscious. They say… “Placing owl boxes throughout our vineyards increases their habitation. Perches allow for hawks, falcons and like predators to scout for vineyard vermin. These magnificent birds are needed to naturally reduce the impact of gophers and voles which can cause extensive damage to the vines and their root system”.
To me, this looks like a Great Horned Owl just after take-off Other renditions of the bird in various poses appear on other Ironstone labels. It’s one of the most beautiful corks I have. CA

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244

At last, a MASTER LIST, alphabetical (except for any errors!), no less. If you don’t find what you’re looking for when searching for a wine with two or more names, look for both/all.

With no more ado…


ALPHABETICAL MASTER LIST

8-11-2021

Abbano - See Marzianno Abbano
Acentor Flitting Finches and Branch Spain
Adega de Borba Red Eagle Crest Portugal
Altitude by Duorum Red Silhouette of Flying Bird Portugal
Authentique Red Owl Face “Birebe in Somnis” OR
Balverne Red 1985 Imprint Hovering Raptor? CA
Banfi Red Castello Eagle Crest 2 subtle variations Italy
Banshee Red Soaring Bird-woman CA
Baracchi Red Beautiful, LARGE Eagle Profile Italy
Barraud - Marchiori Wines Generic Passerine Silhouette Argentina
Blackbird “Vintage 2007 BORN TO FLY” NAME ONLY CA
Black Diamond Winery WA/CA? Closed
Black Swan Majestic Black Swan Swimming one plastic, one cork AU
Blakeslee Gambel’s Quail Male OR
Bodegas Real Stylized Partridge, Attractive Label Script Spain
Bogle Red “In Water” Proverb CA
*1989 Two Pheasants
“Old wine and an old friend…” Proverb Small Pheasant Pair
“Wine Improves with age…” Proverb Small Pheasant Pair
“Over a bottle of wine…” Proverb Small Pheasant Pair
"In water one sees… Proverb Small Pheasant Pair
Borghese Three Crests w/ Birds Emergent NY
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery NAME ONLY Canada
Buttner Bird Head Silhouette Hungary
Calvet Very Faded Soaring Eagle Emblem France
Calvet 1986 Soaring Eagle Emblem France
Canvasback (Name only; see Duckhorn) WA USA
Cascina delle Rose Red Dog/Cat/Sparrow Portrait! Barbaresco Italy
Cave de Moleto Peacock Scene Italy
Chateau Barbanau Serene Swimming Swan Profile France
Chateau la Becasse Hummingbird 1997 Fr
Chateau de Colombe 2014 Flexing Bird Fr
Chateau de Halie Soaring Gull
Christoffel-Berres VDP German Eagle Germany
Cliff Raven NAME ONLY Spain
Clos La Chance Little Hummingbird in Flight CA
Cockatoo Ridge Stylized Cockatoo AU
Corvus Name Only Turkey
Covey Run 3 variations - Large Quail Pair with Name, No Name, Plastic Quail Pair with Name WA
Crane Lake Name Only CA
Crane Lake Long- necked Crane CA
Dakota Creek Winery Beautiful LARGE Great Blue Heron in rich marsh setting WA
Decoy (see Duckhorn in Archives)
Domaine de la Morderee Beautiful Hummingbird Flying Fr
Domaine de Vogue Chambolle Musigny 2014 Rooster, Crested with Crown Fr
Domaine du Colombier 2018 Soaring Dove Silhouette France
Domaine du Pelican Name Only 2012 Fr
Domaine Hatzimichalis Red Peacock Greece
Domaine la Realtiere Soaring bird (dove?) France
Domaine Serene Red 2 variations - 2009 Posing Dove, Cross and Dove with Name OR
Dr. Nagler Weingut Small German Eagle Crest 2011 Germany
Donatela Cinelli Colombine Crest and Dove Italy
Duckhorn Swimming Mallard CA
Duckhorn 1994 Swimming Mallard CA
Duck Pond Flying Duck OR
Duck Pond “Savor this moment” Stylized Duck OR
Duck Walk Vineyards 1998 Duck Shack NY
Duplin Gulls and Lighthouse NC
Durant Vineyards Beautiful Passerine OR
Durant Vineyards Passerine on ends OR
Dusky Goose 4 corks: 2005, 2006, 200?, 2016Fying Goose, Script Name OR
Eagle Castle Name Only CA
Eagle Harbor Wine Co. Abstract Line Art style eagle in flight WA
Eagle Haven Winery Small flying eagle by logo WA
Eagle’s Trace 2012 NAME ONLY CA
Eyrie Vineyards NAME ONLY OR
FALCON RIDGE NAME ONLY New Zealand
Feather Plume 2005 2013 WA
Fetzer Vineyards “Eagle Peak Merlot” NAME ONLY CA
Finca Nueva Red Canary Escaping Cage
Flirty Bird Spain
Flirty Bird Spain
Fonseca Iconic Port 1977 Portugal OLDEST LABELED CORK
Fournier Stylized Peacock? Spain
Fritz Peacock Pair With Grape Vine Canopy CA
G3 See Goose Ridge
Giovanni Chiappini Italy
Gerzinic Stylized Rooster Croatia
Goose Cross Soaring Long-Necked Goose 2001 CA
Goose Ridge Winery, G3 cork theme 3 beautiful goose heads WA
Goose Ridge (same facility, different logo) Stylized Ridge WA
Goose Ridge (same facility, different logo) Vireo Bird Drawing and name WA
Goose Watch Winery Red Goose in Flight NY
GraEagle Name plus Landing Eagle on Ends WA
Granite Springs - Latcham - Gambel’s Quail Male CA
Graves 2010 Vignobles Leveque Singing Finch France
Graves Red 2012 Chateau de Chantegrive Singing Finch France
Haden Fig Cute Owl
Hahn 1988 Stylized Rooster CA
Hahn 2001 Stylized Rooster CA
Hahn Stylized rooster CA
Hahn Feather in Medallion/Crest CA
Hahn Rooster head portrait CA
Hawk Crest One Name Only, plus two with perching raptor, one vertical and one horizontal page layout CA
Hawkes Wine Outstretched Hawk on Plain Background with Name CA
Hawkstone NAME ONLY Site says “Unprotected” by Norton CA
Heron Wine Glass CA
Hungry Hawk 2004
Il Falcon Lovely drawing of coy, perching Peregrine CA
Ironstone Wineries Fabulous Hawk in Take-Off CA
Jones Delightful stylized Rooster on tractor scene WA
Joseph Swan Vineyards Red Beautiful Swimming Swan
Kalbarri Wines Lovely Kookaburra AU
Kanu Stylized Stork 2008 S.AFRICA
Kestrel Soaring Kestrel Plastic WA
Kestrel Name Only 3 variations of script/font WA
Kestrel Soaring Encircled Kestrel
La Cuvee Mythique Red Quizzical Owl France
Little Penguin Penguin Footprints - one plastic, one cork AU
Lava Cap Winery Crested Passerine in Flight CA
Lone Canary Cute Outline Perching Canary, one cork, one plastic WA
Lucky Duck silhouette duck plastic
Mad Duck Zinfandel Abstract Flying Duck CA
Malondro Stylized Peacock Spain
Marziano Abbono Dogliani Beautiful Singing Finch on Wheat Laurel Italy
Mildara Red Bird on Crest AU
Mission Hill Eagle BC, Canada
Monroy 2018 Striking Stylized Quetzel CA
Narmada Peacock VA
Nightingale Wines Cute little OWL! Unresolved Mystery! AU
Night Owl Wine Soaring Owl with Bottle 2 examples cork, plastic CA
Oberon Beautiful little soaring dove w/laurel sprig CA
Paloma Dove Emblem CA
Paloma 2004 Dove Emblem CA
Passopisciaro 2007 Posing Eagle Italy
Passopisciaro 2014 Posing Eagle Italy
Payout Eagle Crest CA
Pheasant Valley Fabulous Scenic View of Mountain, Creek, Soaring Pheasant CA
Ptarmigan Winter Ptarmigan CO
Purple Owl NAME ONLY CA
Quail Creek NAME ONLY OR
Quail Ridge Gambel’s Quail Pair CA
Quinta de la Rosa - 2 corks similar, one dated 2003 - Eagle soaring over peaks Portugal
Raptor Ridge NAME ONLY OR
Ravenswood Abstract Circular Trio of Ravens, No Name - one plastic. one cork CA
Ravenswood Same Design with Year - following years - Ravenswood Same Design with Year - following years - 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - 2013, 2014.
CA
NEED - pre-1994, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012, post 2014.
Redhawk A very Peregrine-Falcon-looking Hawk!!! Still beautiful OR
Red Tail Ridge Soaring Raptor CANADA
Renwood 1993 Sparrow and Shadow CA
Renwood 1999 Sparrow and Shadow CA
Renwood No date Sparrow and Shadow CA
Rex Goliath Beautiful Rooster Portrait CA OR
Rex Goliath Name Only CA
RVd Red Three Finches Three corks - 2010, 2011, 2012 VA
Sakonnet Vineyards 1995 Crowing Rooster RI
SAMI-ODI Assorted Birds on sides, ends Green Seal AU
Screaming Eagles Red 2012 Soaring Eagle on Ends ***SECONDARY MARKET = $4,000 and $14,000, respectively… two variations… PREMIER CULT WINE IN AMERICA
Scribe Cellars Crossed Quills 2011 CA
Severino Red Pacific Raven Emblem 3 examples WA
Skylark Red Name Only CA
Silver Decoy Red Posing Decoy NJ
Snowden Red Peacock CA
Snowden Red 2017 Peacock CA CA
Sparrow Hawk Silhouetted Standing Hawk CA
Stobi Macedonia Stylized, leggy peacock Two corks - Subtle Variations of Script Macedonia
Stoller Turkey on Weather Vane one example 2005 (turkey only) OR
Stoller one example 2014 turkey on weather vane OR
Stoller one no date, turkey and vane OR
St. Urbans-Hof Pope Urban Crest and Birds Germany
Suzor Cartoon-style Cockatiel/Rooster on ends
Sylvester Estate Winery Trio of Flying Ducjs… beautiful action and eyes CA
Tefft Two variations: One big, gorgeous, gorgeous Blue Heron, No Name, and one With Name and smaller silhouette-ish heron WA
Tildio Winery Eye-catching Stylized Drawing of a… tern??? WA
Tenuta Mazzolino Red Fighting Cocks Italy
Terzini Flapping Eagle Italy
To Grace Hummingbird CA
Tomas Cusine Stylized, medallion-style bird (dove?) Spain
Thelema Soaring Swan
Tudernis - Peculiaris - Posing Eagle Italy
Turkey Flats Cute Turkey Male AU
Uccelliera Red - Montalcino Passerines, Nest, Grape Cluster 200? Italy
Valckenberg (PJ) Worms am Rhein Raptor Crest Profile w/1786 Germany
Varsanyi Stylized Sparrow Hungary
Vavasour Majestic Rooster, Great Heritage New Zealand
Vireo Cute Little Vireo Drawing - SEE GOOSE RIDGE WA
Vocal Posing Owl CA
Waxwing Cedar Waxwing and Scene CA
Weingut Buhgerspital Erzeurgerabfullong Eagle Crest Germany
Wilde Farms Red BEAUTIFUL Bunch of Birds CA
Winking Owl Winking Owl! CA
Wolf Blass Soaring Raptor 2002, Another similar, check dates AU
Wykoff Vineyard (see Columbia Winery) Beautiful Standing Sandpiper WA
Yellow Hawk Cellars Lone Hawk Feather one cork, one plastic WA



Unidentified Bag
Flock of Seagulls
3-legged Raven
Canary on a Barrel
Robin/Thrush with a Buzz
Abstract French Rooster (probable generic French multi-brand cork)

245

Oh, joy!

I am on the trail of a really coolio wine from Thailand…

Reportedly (that means somebody told me), it is from a restaurant in Thailand whereat the wine in question can be bought. The same reporter, one of my wine-aficionado field investigators, also told me that it has some kind of exotic bird… maybe a toucan… on the cork! The winery starts with a “K”, he thinks.

Sadly, the specimen cork in question was observed at a dinner party in Japan, and was LEFT BEHIND by my field investigator, who is at dire risk of losing his position, let me tell you. He is trying to retrieve the cork (and repair his reputation) as we speak.

More to come, I HOPE!

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REPORTEDLY… (^%@#$%^&*&^%$#%^)… the retrieval of said cork may involve sorting through a bag of garbage by the field investigator’s recent host. The cork is in peril but hopefully salvageable, NOT UNLIKE MY FIELD INVESTIGATOR’S REPUTATION.

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News Bulletin

Thailand Wines - Intel

Stay tuned…

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Still on the trail of the Lost Toucan Cork…

Could this be the place? My Field Agent thinks the name/region sounds familiar.
Is waterboarding ethical in wine-tracking? No, no, of course not, of course… not. No.

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Gila, you might try searching for “hornbill” and wineries in Thailand. Hornbills are superficially similar to toucans (humongous bill), but toucans are are native to the Central and South America.

250

David!

You are a genius!

I believe your “X” has marked the spot.
Check this out!

My Field Investigator identifies this as The Bird.
Now to see if I can get my mitts on it.

Thank you, thank you!

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Breaking news (I know you’re all holding your breath)…

My Field Investigator has obtained the cork and has it all packed up and ready to mail from the UK via Parcelforce Global Priority, expected arrival in two-ish weeks.
OF COURSE he didn’t photograph it before wrapping, so I’m still in a fair amount of suspense, but I’m not complaining!

252

Through some kind of time warp, my cork arrived wayyy early, and it’s a BEAUTY!
Lookie here.


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Khao Yai Winery

From their site… “PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is the birth place of the Khao Yai Wine Region and one of the finest wineries in Thailand located at the edge of the Khao Yai National Park at 300 to 380 meters above the sea level. Its scenic restaurant the Great Hornbill Grill offers Western and Thai specialties”. The ‘PB’ that precedes many denotations in local names and venues remains a mystery to me.
But the wines have received awards. I don’t know anything about wine awards, but then again, I don’t know much about wines! Their current report follows.
“Since the year 2006 wines of PB Valley Khao Yai Winery have been awarded many Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals as well Certificates of Approval and other local and international recognition from the various prestigious organizations like
The Austrian Wine Challenge (AWC) Vienna – The largest yearly blind wine tasting in the world
The Decanter Magazine UK
The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition
APEC Australia
The Thai Wine Challenge
The Austrian Wine Challenge (AWC) Vienna – The largest yearly blind wine tasting in the world - 2017, Gold, Silver, Seal of Approval
The Decanter Magazine UK
The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition
APEC Australia
The Thai Wine Challenge”
Thailand


Moving along to the bird, The restaurant name (Great Hornbill Grill) gives me comfort in calling it a Great Hornbill. It’s unfortunate that the name might tempt a jokester to suggest that they grill them (‘Hornbill Grill??’ sorry!). David was ON this one all along. The bird itself is native to Thailand, and is always a favorite in art, design, zoos, and folklore. The cork shows a great drawing as the posing bird seems to look over his shoulder at us. I love the head and eye: so much is accomplished with so few strokes. I am thrilled to have found this cork.

Oh, and… my Field Investigator is fully redeemed and re-instated!

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I have a new request… offer… idea… suggestion… offer. Oh, I said that, already, again. Yeah… OFFER!

So…

I have winnowed my collection quite a lot. I’ve just collected SO MANY: 250-ish unique corks. I have decided to siphon a bunch off. Extras. Extra extras.

What to do with the extras?? Well, I certainly have options as far as selling/trading, etc., but I’d like to ask if any of YOU would like to claim some? Want to start a bird-cork collection of your own? I could start you off with my notes, research, etc.

Let me know.

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Yo, Kenny!

I put together a nice little collection of about 30 bird-related corks for you. I also included a copy of my research on my whole collection. I’m sending you an email document so that you can edit/tailor it to your own little flock if you want. The basket you have in mind sounds dandy. You’re welcome to post a photo here if you’d like.

Have fun!

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WHO SAYS I DON’T BUY A BOTTLE OF WINE FOR MYSELF EVERY NOW AND THEN?! WHO??? WHO??? WHO!!!

Okay, then. Now here’s the story.


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Excerpts from the site.

“After more than twenty-five years of making wines for other Napa Valley vintners, Celia Welch is excited to share with you the wine she has made for her own brand, Corra, in 2004.
Grapes from three prime vineyards in three of Napa Valley’s premium growing regions, Oakville, Rutherford and Pritchard Hill, combine to create the powerful yet elegant Corra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Corra, a Celtic deity representing prophecy, symbolizes this small brand’s forward-looking perspective. Showing herself on earth in the form of a crane, Corra takes wing and lifts her shadow to life.”

The logo is an elegant drawing of a leggy, vibrant-winged bird with a long neck that supports a vigilant-looking head and a long, sharp beak. That’s on labels, etc., but the cork just shows the dramatic bust/head of the crane. It’s beautiful.

Most of the selections are a bit pricey for me… $150-300, bought from the vintner or on the secondary market.
But I did find an affordable bottle of their 2019 Corra Tail Feathers, Rogue Valley, for $34 at a local wine shop/tasting venue. I wagered (and prevailed!!!) that the cork had a bird!! It’s the most I ever spent, all on my own, on a bottle.

Here’s what the Corra site says about my little treasure.

“Growing up in the Rogue Valley surrounded by the pear orchards for which Southern Oregon is well known, I learned early on that inhaling the sweet perfume of an orchard in full bloom was sheer bliss. In creating this unique blend of aromatic white varieties, I’ve done my best to recreate that light yet intoxicating perfume of my childhood.
A vineyard which clings to the steep west-facing slopes of the Rogue River produces the combination of Muscat, Riesling and Viognier which blend seamlessly to create Tail Feathers, a complex, dry, crisp white wine. The aromas offer notes of white peach, lemon zest, and a touch of kiwi, along with a faint note of almond. The palate shows tropical flavors combined with lime zest, fresh parsley and citrus blossom. Texturally the wine is light-bodied and dry, with just enough acidity to add freshness, and a clean, lifted finish that offers a sense of grace and elegance.
40% Muscat, 35% Riesling, 25% Viognier.”

I may have been hopped up by the narrative (and/or still high on the happy success of finding a bird after lifting out the cork), but…
DANG, this was GOOD! I have long confessed to being a heathen who covets corks more than wines, but…
I may have to do some soul-searching.
This wine just BOUNCED around in my mouth as I sipped it. Verdant. Humid. It really DID have a bright, citrusy spark that just made me want to chug it, buttt… I held steady. I worked at searching for some of the hints of almond and I think I tasted it. Okay, THEN I chugged it. And then I had another glass. And then I had a really sweet little nap. And a daydream about Rogue River orchards in full bloom… Yeah!

Am I a real Berserker now?

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Kenny is letting me show you his new cork flock, displayed in a pretty white bowl. Nice centerpiece, say I! And… good start!

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Please delete… duplicate post! [swoon.gif]

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I have so many corks… maybe 250 unique ones. It’s a mixed blessing. I’m proud of my collection, but it’s getting harder and harder to find new acquisitions!
But there are still more out there.


Wow. What a find! QUINTA DE NOVAL Port. It’s really special.

From their site: “Quinta do Noval is an historic name with iconic status in the world of wine. But it is above all a vineyard. In the heart of the Douro Valley, great wines have been made in this place since the early 18th century. Known throughout the world for its Port wines, whether the Quinta do Noval Vintage Port made from a strict selection of the best wines from our 145 hectare vineyard, or the Quinta do Noval Nacional, extraordinary product of the tiny Nacional parcel at the heart of the property, or indeed our aged Tawny Ports and Colheitas, Quinta do Noval produces great wines that bear the stamp of their origin.” I wasn’t able to discover the origin of the name Noval, but it is an Italian surname.
A Google search reveals plenty of appreciative (sometimes almost reverent) references to these wines. Prices range from under 20 to over 200 dollars. I got this cork from a gracious donor who enjoyed a 2016 Quinta do Noval Reserva @2016.

I couldn’t find any references to the bird, but it looks like a corvid… maybe a crow? Apparently, it has been the mascot since very early days, so maybe his history is lost to the ages. Yeah, he looks like a boy to me. Anyway, he’s been looking out over the works for a long time, and I love him! Viva il Corvo!


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Oh, and…

Apropos of nothing…

Ken and Dave, have I thanked you recently for the Screaming Eagle corks? Thank you. I love them. I mean, I really love them.

Well, I mean, gee, it isn’t like I rub them on my face, or press them into my nostrils and inhale them, or fondle that nubby surface in private, or hold them close to candles late at night to thrill to that flickering wingspan, or… or… or…

IF I DO, IT’S NOBODY’S BUSINESS! But yours.

Thank you!

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As if it isn’t enough that I collect wine-related bird corks of all kinds, right? Oh, and then I intrude on sophisticated wine lovers here to beg for corks, yes? Yes. Well, I have also managed to get more than a little obsessed with Ravenswood. They’re kaput now, having been taken over by Gallo back in 2020, after years of difficulties. They were/are a fairly storied brand after decades of devotion to their products and reportedly warm community collections. My family has enjoyed their wines for many years, too. Not sure why… well, often enough, it was because I was collecting the different years, as inscribed on the corks.

Anyway, here was my initial posting, circa 2017, when I was first starting out here.
“Ravenswood Originals from family. Several duplicates from Chris (Berserkers).
https://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/
Started 1976, Joel Peterson - Founder: “On a fall day in 1976, as ravens taunted from tree branches above, Joel Peterson worked doggedly to bring in four tons of grapes before a looming thunderstorm hit. The fruit he crushed that night was used for one of two single-vineyard Sonoma County Zins – the first wines to bear Ravenswood’s signature ring of ravens”. CA”

So here I am in 2021, admiring my current batch. I want to complete my set! In my pursuit of corks, I have written Joel Peterson (who reportedly bought the remaining stock), various Gallo staff, and a few individuals who were associated with the original productions. Can you imagine how thrilled they were? Well, not very… nobody wrote me back.

In addition to a few blanks and plastics, I currently have the following standard cirular emblem corks.
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - 2013, 2014.
So I NEED (okay, WANT!) - corks before 1994 - a cork from 2001 - corks from 2010, 2011, 2012 - and then any corks after 2014.
But most particularly, I want 2001 and 2010, since that would complete a nice lonnnnnnnnng series.

Any suggestions for me? Including… GET OVER IT!

Here’s a photo of the current flock.

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