Wine Wednesday Musings - Toast to a Cure

9/28/2011

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As is probably clear from my two previous blog posts about Cleavage Creek Winery and Budge Brown, they both touched my life, very likely without even knowing it.  I was one of many saddened by the untimely death of Budge Brown a few months ago and the subsequent closure of Cleavage Creek Winery. Both have been on my mind the last couple of days. Today, I finally figured out why.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Last year at this time, Cleavage Creek Winery and Budge Brown created a Virtual Toast to a Cure (press release here).  At 5:00 PDT on October 1, 2010, Cleavage Creek invited anyone interested in beating breast cancer to raise a glass and join in a virtual toast. Raising awareness with Toast to a Cure could be a reminder to do a self exam, take a family member for a check-up, or honor the courage of those who have fought breast cancer. I don't know the statistics about how many people participated but I saw a large number of Facebook and Twitter posts about it and I personally connected with some great new people through the virtual toast.  Last year on October 1st at 5:00, I was in wine country with my family and some friends.  We sat down at the appointed time and toasted to raising awareness, the end of breast cancer and our loved ones who had/have breast cancer.  We happened to make our toast with a bottle of Cleavage Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. 
This October 1st, I will once again be in wine country with my family.  I plan on taking the time, at 5:00 PDT, to raise my glass in a toast - to raising awareness, to the end of breast cancer, and to the memory of Budge Brown and his great work.  I encourage you to do the same if you can. 
Cheers.
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In Memory of Cleavage Creek's Budge Brown

5/23/2011

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I was deeply saddened to learn on Friday of the death of Budge Brown in an airplane crash.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. 

While I never met Budge Brown, he and his work - and his wine - touched my life.  His passion for and support of breast cancer research were an inspiration to me in a very personal way.  Back in January, I blogged an "Ode to Cleavage", talking about Cleavage Creek wines and the great work of Budge Brown.  (http://winenotwhine.weebly.com/1/post/2011/01/ode-to-cleavage.html) I had planned on getting up to the new tasting room this summer. I am so sorry that I won't be able to meet and thank him personally. 

We have one bottle of Cleavage Creek wine left in our racks right now.  We've been saving it to bring to Europe with us this summer. We planned to drink it with my husband's mother, who is just finishing treatment for breast cancer. We wanted to share the story of the wine, the strong women on the labels and, of course, Budge Brown and his family, with her, while toasting her strength and recovery.  We'll still drink it together, but now the toast will be much more bittersweet.  Rest assured, though, that we will be lifting our glasses to Budge Brown and to his passion, hard work and lasting mark on the wine world, breast cancer research and on me, personally. 

It's important to continue supporting Cleavage Creek Winery so that the great work Budge started is carried on.  I know I'll do my part.

Thank you, Budge.  You will be missed.
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