By David Setley
Veterans Day, our annual celebration to honor the service of American veterans, is November 11, 2022. The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, commemorated the temporary cessation of combat in the First World War and occurred on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month in 1918. After WWII, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day, a day, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs, to honor all living and deceased American veterans. On this holiday I remember my father, Bernard “Mick” Setley, who served honorably in WWII as a member of the United States Marine Corps. To all of our veterans, thank you for your selfless service to our country and our freedom.
A few notable wine brands have established associations with veteran organizations: 7Cellars and Fit Vines. Legendary football player John Elway established a partnership with Rob Mondavi, Jr., grandson of Robert Mondavi, to create 7Cellars in California. With the sale of every bottle, the company donates to non-profit organizations, including Team Rubicon. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that provides disaster and crises relief by pairing the knowledge and experience of military veterans with first responders, medical providers and disaster operations. I encourage you to visit the Team Rubicon website (https://teamrubiconusa.org/) to learn more about their amazing mission and their work with veterans. According to their website, 7Cellars donated over $15,000 to Team Rubicon in 2020.
7Cellars offers the ‘Farm Collection’ brand of affordably priced wines. Folks who stopped in at a recent Wine Down Thursday at Passion Vines in Somers Point were able to sample wines from the ‘Farm Collection’. Attendees were pleased with the quality of the wines and impressed with the reasonable prices. Respected wine critics have also offered their praise of ‘Farm Collection’ wines:
- The ‘Farm Collection’ Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 91 Point rating from The Tasting Panel Magazine and was described as “lush and smooth,” with a “silky palate (that) features lots of plum and a hint of herbs.”
- The collection’s Pinot Noir earned a 93 Point rating and a “Best Buy” from Gold Metal Tasting Institute, who described the pallet of the wine as “cherry cobbler, raspberry candies, caramelized mushrooms, and candied aniseed.”
- Additionally, the Chardonnay was rated as a “Best Buy” by Wine and Spirits Magazine. This 100% Chardonnay has a well-structured fruitiness with just enough acidity to make it a perfect medium-bodied white for chicken, seafood, or cheese platters. The wine is aged in American Oak for 9 months and provides a satisfying level of oak flavor and the classic buttery mouthfeel that California Chardonnays are famous for.
Fit Vines, another popular wine brand, also supports veterans by donating 25% of proceeds from the sale of their Red Zinfandel wine to the Navy Seal Foundation. Like all Fit Vine wines, the Red Zinfandel is gluten free and vegan friendly, and utilizes a proprietary process to reduce tannins, sugars and histamines. Visit the Navy Seal Foundation’s website (https://www.navysealfoundation.org/) to learn about programs for Seals, Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, veterans, and their families, including educational scholarships, support to assist veterans in reconnecting with the community and civilian life, medical and emotional support services, and more.
This Veterans Day, consider ways to support those who serve(d) our nation; raise a glass to our American Heroes! If you have questions or comments, please reach out at dsetley@passionvines.com. Happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
