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Steve Brooks is a gem. Really, he is. Last Saturday I had the pleasure of barrel tasting the Trust Cellars wine club cabernet sauvignon and I’m not sure my senses have recovered yet. I can hardly wait for it. Of course, that is part of the allure of wine: the anticipation. Waiting while berries ripen, waiting while juice sits in barrels magically transforming itself, waiting for the winemaker to decide to bottle, then waiting again for the wine to be released. The thing is, my waiting doesn’t stop there. And with Steve’s wines, I wait for him to tell me when to open the bottle–most of the time.

People have noticed that Steve made a big shift in his life, going from successful TV producer for CNN in Atlanta to winemaker in rural Walla Walla. One of the latest articles about Steve appeared on October 1st in US News and World Report. I love his story because: (1) Steve is making tantalizing wines that I get to drink from time to time, and (2) it’s a positive story of trust.

I love the quote from the label, used as the closing words of the US News article, which sums up my love affair with Trust Cellars.

“To change, to shift. To make an about-face. To move from a lifestyle rooted in technology and speed to an existence focusing on soil and sun. Taking a giant step requires trust. The trust of your family and friends…and the trust in yourself.”

This is a trust that I understand. Trust ultimately in the earth, nature, community… and, of course, self. I hugely admire Steve’s choices and am grateful to have such an example, not only in my own community, but also in the world. We could all use more stories like this in our lives.

Now, think about how drinking Trust wine fills you, your body, senses, even cells, with this philosophy of change and goodness. I raise a glass to that!