Dispatch · Saturday, April 2, 2022
Janie Brooks and the Legacy of Jimi Brooks
A.J.'s first wine dinner sells out, and a podcast with Janie Brooks, who has spent 17 years keeping her brother's winery alive for his son, Pascal.
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It’s been a busy but super fun week. Tonight I am hosting my first wine dinner at Tavern on Kruse. Again thank you to everyone who bought tickets. I still can’t believe it sold out ☺️
I also can’t believe I was on the Drinking on the Job Podcast this week. It is a bit unnerving being on the other side of the questions. Here is a link to listen on Apple Podcasts and for Spotify. If you were wondering about the topic, it is all about Oregon! At one point in the interview, I was asked, “If you had a billion dollars, where would you plant a vineyard, and what would you plant?” What do you think my answer was?
Do you know Dave and Lois Cho from Cho Wines? If you don’t, you should start by watching this feature, KGW did. The spirit of following your passion and dream is alive and kicking on so many levels!
Talking about dreams, most of us are aware of how male-dominated the wine industry is. However, things are changing with what looks like the very first all-female winery facility here in Oregon! Huge shoutouts to Anne Hubatch, Cristina Gonzales, Meg Rulli, and Lizzy Esqueda!
What are you doing August 17-21st? Nothing, great! The Oregon Wine Experience is kicking off a new location in Jacksonville at Stage Pass. So it looks like quite the weekend!
Oregon has been getting more and more coverage from Jancis Robinson lately. In addition, Samantha Cole-Johnson, a contributor for Jancis Robinson, has moved to Oregon and has been featuring some great stories!
This morning, I read Carl Giavanti's interview with Katherine Cole in the Oregon Wine Press. The question posed, “What was your editorial focus for The Oregonian?” Katherine’s response resonated with me on several levels.
Before I dive into why this struck me this morning, Katherine Cole's work and continues to do is world-class. My work doesn’t begin to compare to her accomplishments and well-crafted words, but I strive to find those producers who live the Oregon dream. So to also read the two words, Jimi Brooks, was fortuitous.
Today’s newsletter is all about my podcast interview with Janie Brooks. It has been 17 years since Jimi passed away, and his name still comes up in conversation. The word Legacy has been ever-present since I started the podcast this year and what a Legacy Jimi has left. If you need some back story, I have a decent foundation of the story here for you to read.
Over the last couple of years, I have emailed, chatted, and Zoomed with Janie, Jimi’s sister. I have such high admiration for her. She has worked her patootski off, keeping Jimi’s Legacy alive for his son, Pascal, who will one day be the face of Brooks Wines. There is something to be said about family. So sitting down to chat with Janie was an honor. I can’t encourage you enough to watch the full 28-minute interview. It isn’t super long, and it’s a glimpse into an already-in-progress story with an ending I hope never to see.
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As always, there are clips of the topics we covered below, along with audio for Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
It would mean the world to me if you "liked" the YouTube Videos, subscribed to the channel or even left a comment.
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Janie Brooks Sunday Emails are all about connecting and being authentic
In this day and age, so many people are worried about the bottom line and making sure they make sales. Yet, when you take a step back to look at how the Long Tail Effect has shifted consumerism as a whole, we long for a connection to the brands we buy from. So, during COVID, Janie started her weekly email connecting with her customers in the most authentic ways possible.
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The Food You Get From Chef Norma at Brooks Wines is Out of This World
Do you like Brussel Sprouts? I am not a big fan either, but you need to try Chef Norma's version before you swear off this little green cabbage. They are pretty darn yummy. Ever since Chef Norma joined the Brooks team, the food program has elevated to a new level. Listen to hear the backstory of how Chef Norma joined the Brooks team.
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Janie Brooks, The Powerful Businesswoman and Her Army of Cloned Robots
Even after asking Janie if she had cloned robots of herself, I don’t quite believe her. She runs at a million miles a minute and blows Maverick from Top Gun out of the sky. You should listen to this clip as Janie reflects on some lessons the last couple of years has taught her.
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The Great Journey Begins: Pascal Brooks Comes Home to Fill His Dad's Dream
When Jimi Brooks passed away, he left the winery to his eight-year-old son, Pascal. For the last few years, Pascal has been in France, finding his path in life. As this true-life story progresses in front of our eyes, it sounds like Pascal will be coming back to the winery in 3 to 5 years. Are you curious about what Pascal has been up to and what his return will look like? So was I!
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Pascal Brooks, where did this educated, well-read adult come from?
I was on a Zoom call with Janie, Pascal, and a handful of other Brooks customers. Pascal is now 26, and I was blown away by how well-rounded, engaging, and polished he was. As I mention in this clip, there are a ton of books behind Pascal doing the call. So I ask Pascal, “What book are you currently reading?”
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Is Wine Art or Not - The Never-Ending Question
Janie is not a winemaker but definitely has an opinion on my never-ending question, “Is Wine Art?”
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Fulfilling a Legacy: The Legacy of Jimi Brooks
Typically, it is a winemaker or the winery owner who has a vision for Legacy. For Janie, it was a bit different. She has carried the torch of Jimi’s Legacy for the past 17+ years. I had to ask, “What fundamental character trait enabled you to drop everything in your life to carry on your brother’s Legacy?”
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Rapid Fire Questions With The One and Only Janie Brooks of Brooks Wine
Janie is an everyday person, just like you and me. My rapid-fire questions aim to bring out the person behind the wine.
Just in case you missed the link for the full interview, here it is again. Also, unless you watch to full interview you have no clue on the blind bottle of wine I brought to our chat.
With Gratitude,
A.J.
PS - Who is going to watch Top Gun 2: Maverick on May 27th
PPS - My answer to where I would plant and where was, "I would plant a Cab and Reisling in the Van Duzer Corridor."
A.J. Weinzettel
Wine journalist & podcaster covering Oregon wine country