BeyondtheBottle.com's genesis arose from the notion that wine was something more than just a beverage, that in each bottle opened a story should be shared about the people, places, and period supporting its creation. It is this story that serves to connect us to something larger and deeper, not only about ourselves but also the world we inhabit.

To this day, it amazes me how this notion is lost on many producers, who craft a quality wine, yet come up short in terms of sharing a story behind their product. Far too often, there is little, if anything, offered about the larger context behind a wine, whether it be on the bottle's label, the producer's web site, or in the winery's tasting room. It's as if these folks have overlooked or failed to recognize the importance of context in what they are crafting.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of local winemakers, writers, wineries, retailers, and others who are going beyond the bottle to expound on the larger context that is Oregon and Washington wine, helping connect us consumers to what we are drinking. These are the folks I intend to showcase and celebrate here at BeyondtheBottle.com with a new series entitled, "Connections".

The Connections series will extend a level of coverage that has existed on this blog for some time now, one that has highlighted certain people, producers, books, and events. I am hopeful this extended coverage will serve to inspire all participants in our local wine industry to pursue a similar path, one that strives to move wine beyond a simple bottled beverage to something truly connective and communal.