Domino Day Pig Roast Dates for 2026: Mar 15, Apr 26, May 17
Now that Valentine’s Day and the 18th Wedding Anniversary are in the books, it’s time now to complete the triple jump. Barbara Lecuonas birthday isn’t officially until tomorrow. We are not open at the winery today or tomorrow. And her official gift request, after much coaxing and cajoling, was to basically sit still at home as long as possible. Its been a busy 2026 and more to come. So that is the order of the day.
But that doesnt say anything about starting sooner, after all, these things take time. And from modest beginnings we can build little by little until even she can’t refuse to celebrate it!
So we can just play along and start very small.
Does anyone ever write any more? Barbara did and still does. But lately her notes are not so legible as in Days of Yore. Now I know why. Ultra fine-tip cheap disposable pens!!! So little ink flows that they skip and jam and when you retrace harder they tear paper.
When she sends me a tremendous love note, it’s impossible to decipher! NO MORE! We return her to what works!
I had to dig out the right proper tool from her past. Voila! Her favorite everyday pen is shown here. A box of 12 Uniball VisionElite Bold 0.8mm Blue. For whatever supply chain reasons, these fell out of favor at stores after the great “casual friday office” pen wars of the Second Age. So I put forth my powers and ordered the box from Amazon. Turns out these are made in Japan for the Wheaton IL unibrands company.
To paraphrase what Rocket said to Thor, This better be some pen! It is.
Stainless steel tip. Tungsten roller. Aeroplane safe. Water Fade Fraud resistant. Writes on napkins without tearing. Tight fitting snap cap. No “cushion grip” (seriously what epidemic is solved by the CG). It boldly flows where no fine tip pen has gone before.
This will definitely ensure she keeps writing cards and letters to me that I will be able to read! And I can steal one from her desk from time to time.
Happy not-your-birthday, Hot Shot!
More to come. Just you wait!l
Wine brought us everything we love. And nothing we don’t. #siboney #WineIsLove
Cigar Talk:
We get questions about Cuba. Whats happening in Cuba. When can we travel to Cuba. When can we organize a trip to Cuba….
We are not going to Cuba. You are not going to Cuba. Not for a while yet…
Update: “In late January, the Financial Times reported that Cuba had less than a single month’s worth of oil in reserve. Already, the country’s energy stockpiles appear to be dwindling. Havana informed international air carriers this week, for example, that it will no longer be able to refuel commercial jets on Cuban tarmacs.”
Whatever is happening is going to take time. Whether the Cuban government can twist out of this submission hold, or tap out, remains to be seen. They never have tapped out in 66 years.
Even though humanitarian aid continues, be certain that the situation is quite seriously deteriorating. Obviously it has already been, and will continue to be very hard on the Cuban people. A very severe test. They are marching in Havana. The prospect of Freedom brings forth courage like nothing else. Abrazos to all
Ever been to a dinner where the wines wear the masks? We have something special planned for our wine loving dinner guests this Valentines. Just you wait!
About that peasant stew… everyone has a family recipe. This one is Barbara Lecuona’s from her mom Jean. There are many family debates about whether it should be boneless or whole chicken pieces, dumplings or potatoes (both please!). But there is no debate from me that this became an instant classic hall of fame favorite dish. Simple, layered, toasty, and unmistakably earthily spiced. To watch it as it is assembled is culinary torture — I wish you could sit inside this aromatic pot of winter goodness.
Having succeeded at pairing a similarly ethnically relevant and historic dish — Mole — I am gonna pull the 2024 Mourvedre for this one too.
I could get used to this winter diet! For another 48 hours!
CALENDAR CHANGE ALERT! Single digits and the prospect of ice across the travel regions this weekend, from DFW to Houston and through the hill country have prompted us to reschedule Sundays wine pickup event.
After confirming with the caterer about the fire-tossed Jambalaya, the guitarist about the playlists, Kappy about the Mole+Mourvèdre and Tempranillo-bravas pairings, and Barbara about the barrel futures for her stunning new Petite Sirah, we are confirmed to reset and rebuild the entire plan and host it on Sunday February 1 at 1pm.
All Member reservations are valid and we will see you February 1. JUST YOU WAIT!
Britt and Doug are visiting. @ourlordandsaber did the work on the Cremant. @besiboney pulled a 2019 Stormbreaker and we had a moment to recognize the accomplishment of this wonderful Merlot that she built and worked so diligently to create. The finishing tastes include a beautiful @blandysmadeirawine, Maynard Port, and a gorgeous Napoleon Cognac. The last three all gifts. Gifts to share. Which is exactly the point.
