A curious event unfolds today in Santa Rosa. The first ever, “Great West End and Downtown Railroad Square Handcar Regatta and Exposition of Mechanical and Artistic Wonders.” Yup! It’s a mouthful, but oh FUN! Created by our dear friend, Spring Maxfield (partner-in-crime of famed local artist, Todd Barricklow), the Handcar Regatta is nothing short of a stroke of genius. For those of you having trouble wrapping your head around this human powered race, here’s a 60-Second Weekend podcast by Press Democrat Arts & Entertainment prankster, John Beck. Our Wine Hero will be on hand, serving as emcee and race-day coordinator, and we’ll be pouring our wines in the beer & wine tent. Come play with us!

Dearest Readers,

My sincere apologies for the dearth of recent posts. I could list some excuses (Europe, Burning Man Festival, etc.) but I’ll keep the little violin in my pocket for now. The truth is, your once-dedicated Roshamblogger will be taking a sabbatical from my post here at the winery. In the coming months I will be living like a hermit and tapping away at a humorous memoir about my life in Wine Country. Tentatively titled, The Vineyard Idiot: One Guy’s Journey from Zima to Zinfandel, the quirky memoir chronicles my move from Gloss Angeles to Sonoma County five years ago, and my sudden shift from shallow Hollywood starf*cker to small town stepdad. Detailing why a “vineyard idiot” like myself should NEVER work at a winery - in any capacity - the book unfolds like an insider’s look at the wine industry as seen through the eyes of an outsider. And your Wine Hero, Naomi Brilliant, Justice, and the Roshambo team are the real stars of the story.

Next week I’m meeting with a publisher in New York who has always been very supportive of my writings. He has offered to give me direction in hopes of someday bringing the memoir to market. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I know that at least for now, I have to fully dedicate myself to writing this story. With any luck, someday I’ll be able to share this story with all of you.

In the meanwhile, I’ll be turning the blog password over to other colorful members of our team. Like Steve Morvai, for instance. A suspected spray tanner, Steve redefined peacocking this past summer when he showed up to work our RPS tournament in a cowboy hat, boots, a stuffed green Speedo, and nada mas. Granted, the “sport” of RPS has seen many uniforms over the years, but this one sent chills down our spines.

… or Adam Savin, Roshambo’s National Sales Guru. Or on this afternoon, “RoshamPEPE”

See!?! There’s no shortage of personality on our staff!

I’m sure that you will be in great hands! It’s not that I’m going to completely disappear. It’s just that I’m gonna let them fill in my blanks for a while.

Thanks for reading and all your support!

Scott Keneally