“I’ll take a bottle of the Bokisch Tempranillo and four glasses, “says Sam Fargo. “Can you send it to the table where the redheaded woman is sitting?” When we found out that New York Times bestselling author, Clive Cussler & Robin Burcell made a reference to our Bokisch Tempranillo I was shocked! The Wrath of Poseidon, the latest release in the Sam and Remi Fargo Adventure Series, was Clive Cussler’s last book before his passing in February 2020. He and local author, Robin Burcell had worked together for several years co-writing the series.
I actually met Robin many, many years ago during my bookclub! We read Every Move She Makes, the first in her Kate Gillespie detective series which draws from her own experience as a police officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and FBI-trained forensic artist. We read her book and then invited her as a guest to our bookclub to talk about the challenges of writing. It was a fascinating book club but little did I know, that our paths would cross again in the future! Hmm..this story is almost sounding like a detective novel in itself!
Fast forward about 20 years, and one of her daughters begins working at our tasting room. Of course, one of the employee benefits is having a great discount. Turns out it paid off because Robin ended up getting familiar with Bokisch wines! Coincidentally, Clive Cussler was an avid wine collector and when Robin asked him about weaving Bokisch Tempranillo into the story, he gave it a thumbs up! Another serendipitous twist is that the Cusslers were dear friends with one of our private label clients, Mark Tarbell, in Phoenix, AZ. In fact, it was actually Mark who originally called our winemaker, Elyse Perry, to let her know about the reference in the book!
Bokisch Tempranillo is specifically referred to in the book as an exciting alternative to the more common California wine varieties. Our Tempranillo plays a significant role as the wine that the main characters (Sam and Remi Fargo) enjoy together on their first date. “That is good…Black cherry, dark chocolate..and a hint of cranberry,” says Remi. “Tempranillo grown in California. I see a wine tasting trip in my future.”
The late Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell
The first chapter of the book opens in reference to a $2,200 bottle of Mouton Rothschild and then moves to Bokisch Tempranillo. I guess that means we are in pretty good company! To celebrate the collaboration of good wine and good books, we will be offering a special pre-order package of a signed copy of The Wrath of Poseidon by Robin Burcell (Clive Cussler recently passed away in February 2020) and a signed bottle of Bokisch Tempranillo by Markus and myself. This offer is limited and will be available for purchase on our website, www.bokischvineyards.com.
