Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

It is with great pride that I report to readers and fans of this column, that this is Wine and Country Living's 100th publication.

I first met Imbert Matthee, then the new publisher at the Times, two years ago. After

I left Foyer Magazine in 2007, my columns, The Valley Gourmet and Cellar Talk, considered by many to be the voice of the local grower and winemaker, I thought that would be the end of my writing about regional food and wine. Thanks to Matthee and his encouragement, Wine and Country Living has found a home at the Times, along with Managing Editor Jillian Beaudry, advertising and legals guru, Bob Nowell and Norma at the front desk, who always have the right answers.

A big "thanks," goes to the people who also keep me in touch with you; Webmaster Larry Pitcher, food photographer, C.J. Stith, and Nowell, who also formats my cookbooks. A big shout-out goes to the legal beagles in my life: Howlin' Irving Rosenberg, Mike Hubbard and Bob Konevich of Malavos and Konevich, Los Altos, Calif., who point me in the right direction.

For many years I have referred to Wine Guy in my story line and for good reason. Wine Guy, AKA, Bob Marsh of Alexia Moore, Calif., and all the independent wine personal I work closely with across the Willamette Valley, Napa, Mendocino and Santa Cruz areas: your input and wealth of knowledge is appreciated beyond words.

There are too many of you small farmers to mention, but locally, people like Todd Richards of Onion World, Bill Warren of Warren Apples, Jay Dewitt at Dumas Station Winery, Amy Locatelli at Three Rivers, Jim Henderson at Lowden Hills, Allen Shoup, Dan Narbaitz at Long Shadows and Joel Waite at Cavu Cellars, without you, there would be no inspiration and the column would be pointless.

To the communication specialists who have put me up front and forward: a very special thank you to local radio personality, Jim Bock, KUJ Radio, Gene Burns, Radio KGO, San Francisco, Tony Tantillo, NBC, New York, KOTZ Radio, Mendocino, John Zukoski and Jimmy Huang, Around Dublin, Casey White, Aspen Food and Sundance News and Howard Dumble of Dumble Electronics, Anaheim, Calif.

By the way, a bunch of us are meeting at jimgermanbar inWaitsburg, this Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Come join us for a drink!

Backstage Punch

1 bottle red wine

1-cup orange juice

¾-cup honey

3 whole cloves

1-teaspoon cinnamon

1-teaspoon curry powder

1-teaspoon chopped fresh ginger

1 bay leaf

In a pot bring all to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes only, turn off heat and let liquid cool to room temperature. Re-heat to a simmer, strain all and serve.

Judith's cookbook now available for sale at: 509-520-8748