Wine has always been more than just a drink—it is a symbol of joy, connection, and devotion. Across cultures and centuries, we have raised our glasses in celebration of love, toasting to unions, friendships, and cherished moments. As Valentine’s Day approaches, let’s explore the timeless traditions that bind love and wine together in beautiful harmony.
A Toast to Love: The Origins of Wine in Celebration
The act of toasting dates back to ancient Greece, where wine was seen as a divine gift from the gods, in particular Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. At weddings, Greeks mixed wine with honey—a practice symbolizing the sweetness of marriage. The Romans carried on the tradition, offering goblets of wine during wedding ceremonies, sealing vows with a sip in a shared cup—a tradition that continues in many cultures today. This practice evolved into the modern-day wedding toast, a tradition that still thrives at celebrations of love.
A Drink for Devotion: Love’s Many Forms
Wine isn’t just reserved for romantic love—it has played a role in honoring deep friendships and familial bonds as well. In Spain, the “porron” tradition involves passing a wine-filled vessel among friends, celebrating togetherness and shared joy. Whether among lovers, friends, or family, the act of sharing wine is an expression of warmth and connection.
Sonoma’s Legacy of Love & Wine
Here in Sonoma Valley, love and wine have always gone hand in hand. Generations of winemakers have poured their hearts into their craft, creating wines that accompany life’s most treasured moments. Sonoma’s wines have long been a backdrop for love stories. My love story with Laurel Glen Vineyard started on a rainy day in late 2009. I had put together a small group of wine-lovers and we were looking for a winery to buy. The founder of Laurel Glen, Patrick Campbell, took me on a tour of his vineyard (which was for sale.) The vineyard, at an elevation of about 1,000 feet, offered beautiful views of the Sonoma Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east. After drinking in the beauty of the vineyard, Patrick gave me a glass of the 2005 vintage of his Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It was love at first sip. I joke that the 2005 vintage (in late 2009) was like sticking your finger in a light socket. The freshness of the wine was electrifying and like nothing I had tasted from California. I still feel so blessed, all these years later, to be the steward of such a beautiful vineyard and to be able to share the fresh and delicious Cabernets of Laurel Glen Vineyard with the people I love.
Celebrating Love, One Glass at a Time
As you uncork a special bottle this Valentine’s Day—whether it’s a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, a delicate Rosé, or a crisp Riesling—know that you’re continuing a tradition that spans centuries. Wine has always been more than what’s in the glass—it is a way of saying, I cherish this moment with you.
Here’s to love, to tradition, and to the wines that make every celebration unforgettable. Cheers!
Our February Toast to all of you from Laurel Glen Vineyard
“Whether with kin, a love, or a friend,
Raise a glass and let joy extend.
A toast to love, again and again—
With every sip, here’s to you from Laurel Glen!”
