Its that wonderful time where we as Americans can exercise one of our most valuable rights - voting! No matter what side you vote for, the important thing is that you DO vote. And we decided to celebrate this at O&V. We have a special wine that even though it comes from Italy, its namesake has an extremely important role in the founding of American philosophy. The wine is 2015 Philip Toscana IGT Cabernet Sauvignon from Mazzei Estates.
Philip Mazzei was a physician, merchant, horticulturalist, viticulturalist, pamphleteer, political activist, linguist, diplomatic agent, historian, and royal adviser, according to www.mazzei.it . He brought the tradition of Italian wine making, olive trees, and many mediterranean fruits to Virginia. Fun fact: Philip founded the first American “Wine Company” after growing grapes and making wine in Monticello, Virginia.
He was also a forward thinker, a man for the people well respected by “noblemen, politicians, diplomats, and presidents”. Lucky for us he developed a friendship with Benjamin Franklin while staying in London. After talking with his new close friends, a visit to Virginia was in the works. Once here he got swept up in our belief of independence. He soon began a friendship with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. Mazzei advocated that “All men are by nature equally free and independent. Such equality is necessary in order to create a free government.”
Doesn’t that sound familiar?! Well if you recall our Declaration of Independence states ““All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Unknown to most of Americans…that the opening words of our Declaration of Independence, originated from this unique and brilliant Italian.
Mazzei’s website writes, “Once the Declaration of Independence had been written and signed, Mazzei translated the document into Italian for several important newspapers. Mazzei was a prolific writer, transmitter of revolutionary ideals, liberal thinker, visionary, and “citizen of the world.” He is a significant exemplar of the trans-Atlantic nature of the American revolution and may be considered the first Italian immigrant to promote economic and political relations between the United Stated and Italy. In celebration and recognition of his contributions and role as an American Patriot, a commemorative stamp entitled “Patriot Remembered”, was issued in 1980 on the 250th anniversary of this birth.”
American patriotism suggests that we can’t sit by and let others choose for us. Whatever side you believe in, it’s our honor to be able to choose and vote for the life that we hold dear and that is protected by so many that have paid the ultimate price before us.
So we’re featuring this outstanding wine in the shop and on Nov. 4th we’ll be sharing a virtual sip with you all! Come by the store and grab your bottle or call and reserve for Pick-up, then share videos with us and hashtag #thinklikephilipmazzei — just make sure you vote first! Bonus, we’ll be tasting this in the store all day Nov 4th!!! Hip Hip Hooray!
Election Wine
