It's almost Valentine's Day, and I'm filled with passion, South Stage Cellars 2010 Romeo & Juliet white-wine blend ($26) and stories of nudity in vineyards.
Legend has it that a certain Ashland vintner has his ripe pinot noir grapes plucked by hand by topless, nubile women.
Being a journalist with a strong affection for the truth, I always have doubted this story because the vineyard — which will remain nameless but clearly identifiable by the clues I will now give you — is located near an Interstate 5 exit and off a busy road. Would women really frocklessly frolic in front of easily distracted drivers?
Out of courtesy to the venerable vintner, I asked him directly about this tale that has been passed among silver-haired appreciators of wine and women since the 1980s.
The man peered at me, then held up his index finger and uttered these breathless words: "They weren't topless at harvest."
He then inhaled and forever set the record straight. "They were topless later, when they were rolling up the bird netting."
Read more about vineyard nudity in the complete Eno Outings wine column in the Medford Mail Tribune: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=LIFE0702
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