If you were to spot Michael McClean walking down the street, stopped him, and asked him what he does for a living, he would most likely respond with, “I make wine.” That, or some humbled variation of the phrase. Michael has been making wine in Templeton, California, ever since he and his wife Judy purchased land on an old almond orchard in the 1990’s.  Grape growing and wine making seems to be one of those professions that encompasses who you are.  I’ve met quite a few vintners who have told me that after a while, the process becomes a part of you.  With all of the care and dedication that is necessary to be a successful grape grower and wine producer, it never surprised me that the process would become partially or fully engrained in someone’s identity.  Seasoned and successful growers spend most of their days in the vineyard, monitoring its activities to sometimes alarming detail.  My interactions with Michael have led me to believe that the same, to some extent, is true for him.  As much as Michael has spent the last decade of his life making wine, he wasn’t always waking up to work the vines.

In 1968, Michael returned home from work at his father’s butcher shop.  Awaiting him was a rather large brown envelope.  The envelope contained details of his draft into the military.  After completing a term of service, he went on to study at Pasadena City College where he would begin work on his future.  At that point he was no longer an active serviceman, but he would always be a veteran.

For a long while, Michael has been donating ten percent of his earnings from his wine to the Armed Forces Foundation, a group whose slogan is “serving those who serve.”  In all its efforts, the foundation provides physical and emotional support for active service people, as well as retired personnel.  These services include “financial support, career counseling, housing assistance and recreational therapy programs.”  When I spoke with Michael about his decision to donate wine proceeds to the AFF, he spoke rather candidly to me about the obligation he felt to help those who are currently walking in the shoes he wore some time ago.

One of the prevailing public misconceptions in the professional world today seems to be the blanketing assumption that being a winemaker provides a cushion of comfort and wealth.  It seems so often that lay people assume that owning a vineyard and/or a winery means residing in a palatial estate, imbibing and living a life of utter luxury at all times.  Although there are most certainly some wine producers whose lifestyles fit this description, the truth is that a vast majority of active wine producers don’t come close to realizing extreme wealth or lavish lifestyles.  While Michael is able to make a living for himself and his family from his winemaking ventures, he is indeed part of the “working class of winemakers.”  I bring this up because I think it important to acknowledge that the proceeds Michael donates to the AFF don’t represent a careless or minuscule sum.  Still, Michael made it a point to emphasize the need to do whatever one can.  His precise phrasing was “now that I can, I want to help.”

 A few days ago, Michael was received promotional materials for a special offer known as the “boot campaign.”  Essentially, the AFF partnered with The Boot Campaign to promote an item known as the “Give Back Boots.”  Essentially, all proceeds that stem from consumer purchases of the promotional pair of boots go right back to providing much needed support active duty service people, as well as veterans.  Of course, when Michael saw what the offer entailed, he jumped at the opportunity.

It should only be a matter of weeks before Michael receives his new pair of boots.  Knowing of his enthusiasm for reliable footwear, there is no doubt that they’ll be on his feet when he tends to this next vintage of Syrah fruit.  It’s comforting to know that these boots will be with Michael when he makes the wine that will go to help more service people in need.  After all, it’s important to do what you can… whatever that may be.

Continue Reading →