Dear Friends,
Twenty-two years ago today, my brother Jimi passed away suddenly from an aortic dissection. It has been quite the journey continuing the winery in honor of his legacy. Today, I have written my reflections in a letter to him.
Dear Jimi,
Everyone says to me, “Jimi would be so proud.” I reflect upon that often. Would you? Why would you be? You and I were close in age but so very different. I was an accounting major with a solid job after college. You graduated from college and bought a one-way ticket to Europe to travel and discover the world. Mom knew how to share my accomplishments with her friends. Dad knew how to be proud of both of us. I think often about what you would be proud of if we could talk today. Twenty-two years ago, you left us suddenly. Your son, Pascal, was eight, and your winery was approaching its seventh harvest. Ever since, I have been at Brooks giving it my all and loving it, well, just about every minute.
So, here are my thoughts on what I think you would be the most proud of, in no particular order:
You would be proud of Chris and the quality of our wine. For over 22 years, your friend Chris Williams, who learned to make wine from you, has embodied the importance of making pure wines in small lots, respecting the growers, the land, and the clones they chose to plant. He led this winemaking program for over two decades and has continued to evolve it today, with Claire Jarreau, now at the helm, bringing forward all that Chris taught her and adding her own incredible skills. Under Claire’s leadership, the quality of the wines continues to improve, rivaling the very best in both Riesling and Pinot Noir. We have the most amazing winemaking team ever at Brooks with the addition of Hayley and Jakob.
You would be proud that I didn’t run the business into the ground and that I’ve led it through a recession, COVID, consumption changes, and industry changes. Much of this goes back to relationships you started. Relationships and being good to people and partners is the true key to survival and success. You gifted me so many amazing relationships in the industry. I continue to lean into those relationships and would not be here without their wisdom, guidance, and support.
You would be proud of David’s amazing support of me, given that I turned our family life in a very different direction to keep the Brooks legacy going.
We continue to champion making Riesling in the Willamette Valley and are making some of the best Rieslings in the country. We still work with your first source of Riesling from back in 1998, Yamhill Vineyard. What I would give to see your face after tasting the 2021 Extended Tirage Sparkling Riesling!
We have a beautiful community gathering place at the top of the Eola-Amity Hills, which you found in your pursuit of old vine Riesling. It is a place where all are welcome, and inclusivity and hospitality matter as much as the quality of our wine and food. We cherish and nurture relationships with our guests, Wine Club members, trade, growers, our team, and every stakeholder that is a part of Brooks.
You would be proud that we offer the best benefits of any Wine Club in America and the best members, who love Brooks for the amazing wines and the feeling of being part of our family and legacy.
You would be happy to see that your founding philosophy of providing the highest quality wines at accessible price points is one we have never wavered from. Beyond our wonderful customers, our wines positively impact many lives and the well-being of distributors and trade buyers throughout this country and beyond. It is a pleasure for all in the industry to buy and sell our wines.
You would be proud of our current leadership team. We are, for sure, the best in the Valley if not in the industry at large. Collectively, we have over 87 years at Brooks across the 8 of us. That is a huge demonstration of our belief in what you started.
By keeping the winery going, our family lives on as our parents’ friends, our relatives, and our childhood friends know where to find us. Brooks is the place.
I love your incredible son, Pascal, as a child of my own. My children have another sibling in Pascal. He is wise, funny, and nurturing. He is an integral part of our family and a wonderful soul beyond his years. He absorbs everything he can about you from the lessons, examples and stories you have left behind. You would be proud that he is in viticulture and enology school in France and doing a work-study program at Domaine Ostertag. He plans to return to Brooks in 2027.
We have continued your commitment to biodynamic farming, holding ourselves accountable to certification and applying these practices across all of our land and winemaking. You would relish our majestic gardens and grounds. You and Shannon, our Estate Sustainability Director, would have some amazing conversations and good laughs. The two of you could talk books and plants nonstop.
You would be proud that I have expanded our sustainability commitments to B Corp and 1% For The Planet. I recognize that having a business is an opportunity to be a platform for good for people and for the planet. It is a true privilege.
Jimi, you have given me a gift: the gift of Brooks and being in this incredible industry. It has taught me how much it matters to be passionate about how you live every moment. Life is short, and you have taught me the importance of always loving, being grateful, and that every moment matters.
Pascal, at the young age of 14, said it best at the end of the documentary American Wine Story, “I am not afraid to die, but I am really afraid not to live.”
You truly knew how to live, Jimi.
My brother, you definitely lived a wonderful, full life in such a short time of 38 years.
On this day, September 4th, Jimi, I toast to you. I love you and miss you. You have such a significant impact on so many lives that make up the team and extended community of Brooks. I think you would be proud, and that makes me feel fulfilled.
Pop a bottle of Brooks and watch American Wine Story!
XO. Janie