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Mike Lee will always be remembered

Editor, Index-Tribune:

 

Back in 1974 I was a newly arrived citizen of Kenwood. A friend said since I was a Ken and lived in Kenwood, I should ask for a job at Kenwood Winery, and so I did.

The first person I met was Mike Lee, one of the owners and their winemaker. He smiled very charmingly, had a twinkle in his eye, handed me a cuchillo - a curved knife for harvesting grapes - gave me an address and a time to be there. I was now a part of the wine industry.

Suffice to say, I started as a grape picker. I worked at that for two weeks eventually driving the truck back to the winery. Mike asked me if I wanted to keep working, and so I stayed for five years as a cellar rat.

Mike and his wife, Kaarin, welcomed me into their wine family, which was just what I needed. I was not alone. So many folks got their start with Mike. He was a pioneer and visionary. He worked as hard as anyone and had more fun at it.

I began my own family at that time too. What I needed was to get past my Vietnam experience and get my own life going. Mike knew that, and he and Kaarin always encouraged me to follow my own dreams as they had. I will never forget his kindness. He recently passed from this life but he will always be remembered.

Ken Brown

City Council Member

Sonoma