A Difficult Pairing

Laurie

What pairs with Mexican food and the celebration of your sister’s life? That was my challenge when we returned from a walk to the beach at sunset where we tossed stones into the sea with messages. We were hosting a celebration of life for my sister who would have turned 60 on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Throwing a stone into the sea for Laurie, my sister; photo by Claudia Miklas

We grilled tritip, we made beans and rice, heated tortillas, had chips and salsa, and friends brought enchiladas, tamales, and more. We had Mexican beer and limes, plus tequila, and margarita mix.

But what did my friends want? Wine! Wine chosen by their friend the wine expert! Specifically red wine to go with tritip with Mexican chili seasonings, and all the fixings for burritos or tacos.

So what wine? It felt like a momentous decision. It felt like a monument decision. Trying to decide what wine really brought her loss home to me in a way that nothing else had yet. And that we drinking a toast to her and not with her. What wine was worthy of an independent spirit like my sister, Ventura County local born and raised–and who never lived outside of Ventura’s borders? Someone who loved and appreciated wine — and art? 

Clearly I needed a wine from grapes grown organically here in Ventura County, and one with a beautiful label. I have a few wines here from Clos des Amis so I started there: do I have a Grenache? maybe their juicy Syrah or Sangiovese? But then I spied The Ojai Vineyard 2019 Paseante Noir with its lovely label of an Ojai oak tree from their property.

Now this wine is truly a Ventura County original! Not only is it grown in a tiny 1.2 acre vineyard just off Creek Road which is the back way to Ojai from Ventura and a favorite drive for my family, but grown there is a very special experimental hybrid grape made over generations (non-GMO) by UC Davis’s Dr. Andy Walker to thwart Pierce’s disease and planted by Adam Tolmach in such a way to combat climate change. The hybrid’s blend of 50% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, and 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon made me think it would work quite well with our meal — not to mention we successfully paired a 2021 of Paseante Noir Estate Red with “fusion” tacos which you can read about here.

Perfect choice, yes? It gets better!

I poured wine for people, and left the bottle and a French Rhone blend out on the table. Then I set my glass down — and when I went to pick it up, there was another glass nearby! Which was mine? Turns out the other glass was Becky’s; we grew up together on the same street. She’s a nurse, and her dad still lives a few houses down from my sister, who bought our house from my dad. Becky was one of the last people to see my sister, outside of her children and grandchildren. I asked her if she had poured The Ojai Vineyard wine in her glass or the French one.

“Oh I know the Ojai wines, I know the label! I help them pick their grapes! It’s not their wine!” Becky said confidently.

I smelled the wine in each of our glasses. Convinced they were the same when it dawned on me that the Paseante Noir label isn’t the typical Ojai Vineyard one which is diamond shaped and features grape leaves. Turns out that Becky had helped pick the grapes in the wine we were drinking and with which we toasted my sister. 

Paseante Noir

2019 The Ojai Vineyard Paseante Noir Estate Red, Ventura County

ABV: 13.5%
SRP: $39 current release 2022
Grapes: organic Paseante Noir (hybrid of 50% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon)
183 cases
wine club member purchase 

Appearance:  ruby 

Aroma: spicy red fruit, raspberry, boysenberry, mulberry, savory herbs 

Palate: black current tea, red fruits, lively, spicy

Pairing: Special people, special occasions, special foods… definitely works with Mexican food! 

Laurie

Here’s to Laurie! Read more about Laurie here and below:

On the night of the September eclipse with the full harvest moon, beloved artist, teacher, trainer, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend Laurie Anne Lawrence Ludwig went to the light taken by cancer. Brilliant and thoughtful, Laurie touched many lives, and she will be missed. Laurie had a heart of gold, a playful joyous spirit, and she saw the best in everyone.

Laurie was born in Los Angeles Jan. 7, 1965, and lived in Ventura CA from toddlerhood on. She attended Ventura Montessori School, Mound Elementary, Balboa Junior High, Buena High, and Ventura College. Precocious, she learned to read before she started school, and to drive at 8 years old. Highly intelligent and artistic, she loved reading, learning, and creating art. Talented athletically, she had a passion for beach volleyball, and she taught aerobics and weight training for many years at Patagonia and at the YMCA.

Laurie had three children: Kyle Lawrence, Steven Ludwig, and Nicholas Ludwig. She was an amazing and loving mother, grandmother, and aunt.

We will celebrate her life on Saturday Jan.4, 2025 beginning at 3pm. We will share stories, fire, and food. We will mostly be outside so wear warm clothes. We plan to walk to the beach to watch the sun set.

Laurie was a great cook, and justly famous for her salsa and her enchiladas. Please bring stories about Laurie, photos if you have them, a Mexican style dish to share, and a chair.
 

Laurie and Laurie

 

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