Jonny Cigar and Brian Quinn. Photo by Katie Sokoler.
Good Friends,
In July 2009, Brian Quinn and I formed The Noble Rot. The anticipation of what Noble Rot’s potential could be was exhilarating and we worked around the clock imagining the components of our soirees-to-come. Now, going into our second year, we’re both incredibly proud of the progress and are thrilled to be able to provide the kind of social dynamism that has permeated our events. We love wine but didn’t love the kind of wine tastings and classes and massive consumer events we attended where the wine often took a backseat to disorganization and events for the sake of events. The Noble Rot was imagined to break that mold and to foster an atmosphere around the tasting and education of wine that mirrored our hopes of what those tastings could be – and to realize their potential. Wine for the most part is completely subjective – do you like it or not? However, wine as a story, a piece of history and the language that defines the wine culture is all incredibly fascinating. And the best scenario for learning combines an experience that encompasses those elements and presents them to you, simply put, in a fun and unpretentious way.
Together, Brian and I have collaborated on unique opportunities, always with the intention of providing the best experience – we always asked, is this something I would attend? And together we succeeded and are proud of our work together.
Brian’s departure from The Noble Rot presents the opportunity for new and exciting horizons. Mr. Quinn has a vision of events and happenings to come that he’d like to grab by the horns, riding down the avenues, a kind of Paul Revere of the ages, shouting out to the good people and bringing them the fruits of his labor – I fully support him in his efforts and encourage everyone to follow him and keep an eye out for what is in the Quinnstore.
I thank him, in earnest, for his friendship, his collaboration, for everything he brought to The Noble Rot and for all those times we fell off the wagon together.
As I forge ahead, I will drink suss out new and thrilling opportunities for you, good Noble Rotters. Today, I write from the top of Diamond Mountain near Calistoga, CA. I have ventured West to discover gold partners-in-wine, to take part in this year’s harvests and will be bouncing forth-and-back betwixt here and th’East; all efforts to uncork unique collaborations for the love of wine, food and more wine-infused-culinary-spectacle-events-to-come. I’ll be back in New York before this year’s rosé goes sour. Be sure to check back in here next week as I make an exciting announcement re: a Sonoma-based project. Here’s a hint: a new winery is opening near the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma and I just might be involved somehow… In the meantime…
A glass raised to you, Mr. Brian Quinn, here’s to the future – your pal,
Jonny
