Vintner's Journal

First, we tried Match Sloan Vineyards, after Sasha’s and my last names. But as many of you know, Sloan Estate beat us to market by a few years with their own fantastic wine. We probably still could have used the “Sloan” being that it’s my name, but rather than cause confusion, we became and remain simply Match Vineyards.

But there’s still the chance for confusion. No, being named “Match” does not indicate that our wines smell like sulfur as one person asked. Match is probably an Ellis Island bastardization of the Russian word “metch” meaning “sword”. Sasha’s grandparents emigrated from Russia around 1900.

But what about those goofy vineyard names, Butterdragon Hill and Baconbrook? It would be cool if they were historic place names or something like that, but no, we made them up.

We tossed so many names around for what would become Butterdragon Hill and nothing seemed right. Then one day, Alec and his buddy Ryan were swimming in our pool while Sasha and I sat nearby. The boys were using squirt guns to antagonize the numerous dragonflies that swarmed around the pool. The dragonflies were involved in their aerial mating ritual but they also seemed to be cavorting with the boys. Suddenly, a lone butterfly flew into the fray. The boys wondered aloud what would happen if the butterfly mated with a dragonfly. Almost in unison, Sasha and I answered, “You’d get butterdragons.” Our perfect name was born.

Baconbrook was easier. The memory of Steve Speckenbach, Sasha’s late husband and Alec’s biological father is a big part of our lives. Alec, of course, shares his daddy Steve’s last name. Totally by coincidence, both Alec and Steve (as a child) used the “code” name Baconbrook with their best friends. Baconbrook is an English translation of the German name Speckenbach. Calling our home vineyard and estate Baconbrook is our tribute to Steve and Alec and we’re very excited about the 2004 Baconbrook Cabernet Sauvignon, now aging beautifully in the barrel.

(A note to one individual who was either a comedian or clueless: No, having Butterdragon and Baconbrook vineyards does not mean our wines are "fatty.")