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Fiery Sunset Over Gloucester
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Summer Newsletter Part One
Happy Summer to everyone!
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Although June 21 is the official start date of summer according to the calendar, for me, a Gloucester, MA resident, summer really starts with the annual St. Peter's Fiesta and the Greasy Pole competition on the last weekend in June.
Gloucester is the oldest seaport in America, and the fiesta is a four-day festival celebrating St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. Over the four days, there are religious ceremonies, parades, a road race, a carnival, boat races, and the blessing of the fleet. But the most anticipated and watched festival tradition is the Greasy Pole.
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The competition takes place in Gloucester Harbor on a platform fitted with a 40-foot telephone pole sticking out over the ocean, greased with a biodegradable substance. Depending on the tide, it can be anywhere from 10 to 20 feet above the water's surface. The competitors' goal is to walk down the pole and grab the flag at the end before they fall into the water. Being a winner of the Greasy Pole competition is an incredible honor and makes you a legend for life in the town. Some families have multiple winners among them and are proud to carry on the tradition from one generation to the next.
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I am sharing here a couple of photos from this year's competition and wishing you a wonderful summer ahead.
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The Greasy Pole in Gloucester Harbor
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The 2026 winner of the Greasy Pole with the flag being carried off beach by fellow competitors.
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In This Issue
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In the summer issue, I will recommend some of my favorite wine-themed books that I believe make great beach reads, a few summer wines to try, and an introduction to Illinois wine, which perhaps will inspire a road trip!
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Recommended Summer Wine Reading:
Shadows In the Vineyard, By Maximillian Potter:
A true story about how the most famous Vineyard in Burgundy, France, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, was threatened with being poisoned. An anonymous note arrives at the home of the vineyards' esteemed proprietor, Aubert de Villaine, demanding a ransom. And from there, the twists and turns of the story make this book a real page-turner. As the mystery unfolds, the reader learns about this storied and exclusive vineyard, its owner, and the Burgundy region.
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Tangled Vines, Greed, Murder, Obsession, and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California, By Frances Dinkelspiel:
The title almost tells everything you need to know about what is between the covers of this book. It is a true story that recounts the events leading up to and following a massive warehouse fire at Wines Central Warehouse in Vallejo, California, on October 12, 2005, which destroyed millions of dollars' worth of wine. The book brings to life a cast of characters who were either touched by this fire or involved in this act of arson. Along the way, the book dives into detailed historical information on the California wine industry's somewhat sordid side to its rise and expansion, which included murder and deceit.
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Adventure on the Wine Route, A wine buyer's tour of France, By Kermit Lynch:
This is one of the first books I read when I began my career in wine. It remains one of my favorites. Kermit Lynch is a well-respected wine importer and seller with a shop located in San Francisco. The book was published over twenty-five years ago, and a 25th-anniversary edition was recently released. Lynch is an amazing storyteller, and even if you are not particularly interested in wine, you are sure to enjoy the various characters he encounters through his travels. Read a chapter, have a glass of wine from that region, and then move on to the next one. It will be an enjoyable journey, I promise.
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Book covers from my reading recommendations.
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Two Summer Sippers to Try:
Bieler Pere & Fils, Coteaux D’Aix-En-Provence, France, 2024 Rosé:
A beautiful, dry rosé from Aix-en-Provence, a sub-section of the larger Provence region of France. Made by a father and son team who focused on the production of rosé from this region, which is famous for rosé wine. It has a salmon pink hue and aromas and flavors of red raspberry, white peach, and herbs de Provence. It is crisp, clean, and will pair well with seafood, vegetable-based pasta, and a hot afternoon. It should be widely available at most liquor stores for around $15.00 a bottle. Alc.%13. It is a classic Provence blend of three grape varietals, Syrah, Cinsault, and Grenache.
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Foral DO Vale Vinho Verde, Portugal, 2024:
Vinho Verde means "green wine" in Portuguese and refers to the wine's region of origin in the northwest of the country. The climate is very wet, and the landscape is green and lush. This white wine has bright acidity and balance. It is crisp yet complex with aromas and flavors of green apple, tropical fruits, and white flowers. Drink it with grilled oysters, seafood, and a sunset. The grapes used to produce this wine are native white varieties including; Arinto, Loureiro, and Alvarinho. Widely available at most stores selling quality wine for about $13.00 a bottle. Alc.%12.
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Summer sipping wine recommendations.
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Introduction to Illinois Wine
Winemaking in Illinois dates to 1691, with the building of a fort by the Frenchmen Tonto and Francois Daupin de LaForest in the town now known as Peoria, where records show that the village surrounding the fort had a wine press.
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It was not until the mid-1800's that the Illinois wine industry truly took root, with the establishment of the now-oldest surviving vineyard and winery in Nauvoo, Illinois, on the banks of the Mississippi River.
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By 1900, Illinois was the fourth largest wine producing state in the nation. But, as in so many states with booming wine industries, it all came to a halt with the enactment of Prohibition in 1919. During Prohibition, some vineyards continued to grow table grapes, while others uprooted their vines to plant corn and soybeans and never returned to wine production once Prohibition ended.
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Today, Illinois is home to over 165 wineries and tasting rooms across the state, offering award-winning wines made from native American, French Hybrid, and Vinifera grapes, as well as local fruit. Rosé wine is the official wine of Illinois, and many wineries offer an "Illinois Signature Rosé." To receive this distinction, a wine must use 100% Illinois-grown grapes and pass extensive chemical and sensory analysis, conducted by enology specialists and wine industry experts.
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Galena Cellars in Galena, Illinois.
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Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.
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Always Sharing Wine
Gloucester, Massachusetts
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