Come Over October at Amista

Sharing Wine and Friendship…

…and memorable wine stories from before we launched Amista.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.
 

From the very beginning of our wine journey, we understood the importance of friendships. After much thought and searching for the perfect name, we discovered the word Amista, which in Spanish means “it makes friends.” From that moment, we knew it was the ideal name for our winery.

So, when we first heard about "Come Over October," a celebration of togetherness, we were eager to participate. My late husband Mike and I have always believed that wine is more than just a drink; it’s woven into the fabric of life, enriching moments shared with friends, family, and good food. Wine, to us, represents connections, memories, and the joy of coming together.

This month at Amista, we’ve planned several exciting ways to honor "Come Over October," but today I want to share some of my most cherished memories — times when sharing wine also meant sharing meaningful experiences: connection, inspiration, joy, and community.

Over the past 20 years since we founded Amista, I’ve collected countless memories. However, some of my favorite moments tied to wine and connection go back even further. Here are five stories that are especially dear to me.

When I Knew Mike Was the One

More than 40 years ago, Mike and I had our first dinner date at a cozy restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. After dinner, we were sipping red wine and getting to know each other better. I was either nervous or gesturing too much — probably both — and managed to spill a whole glass of red wine on the pristine white tablecloth. Mike remained calm, flagged down the waiter to clean up, and returned his focus to me, completely unbothered. It was a small moment, but it told me so much about his character. I knew he was the one.

Inspiration in the Hot Tub

I became close friends with Meg, a colleague from my days at a tech company in Colorado. We often collaborated on workshops for managers, and while we had different approaches — I liked to start with goals, and she preferred to dive into activities — we became a powerful team. Some of our best ideas were born while soaking in her hot tub, brainstorming over glasses of wine. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and creativity.

“No Stars, Who Cares” in Tuscany

Meg, her husband Dale, Mike, and I eventually became travel companions, and one of our most memorable trips was to Tuscany, where we stayed at a rustic agriturismo called Podere Terreno. Each evening, we gathered with fellow guests at a long communal table (pictured above) to share a simple meal paired with wine made by the owner, Roberto. What made these dinners unforgettable was the mix of people and languages. Roberto’s wife, Sylvie, spoke with guests in Italian, French, and German, while Roberto conversed with those speaking Italian, English, and Spanish. It didn’t matter what language we spoke; the wine, food, and shared stories connected us. Roberto’s food was humble, his wine unpretentious, but his hospitality was unmatched. He loved to say, “No stars, who cares?” — a sentiment that captured the true magic of those evenings.

A Hot Tub Vision

In 1985, Mike and I moved from Colorado to Silicon Valley and were shocked by how close together the houses were. Longing for more space and privacy, we retreated to our hot tub one evening with a glass of wine and imagined our dream home. We didn’t focus on the number of bedrooms or baths; instead, we envisioned a place where our neighbors couldn’t see in our windows and where we didn’t mind if things were a little “dated.” The vision was so clear that our realtor only needed to show us two homes before we knew which one was ours. Little did we know that this property would one day host our first small vineyard, where Mike would make his first batch of wine in the garage. That moment in the hot tub set the course for a dream that would eventually become Amista Vineyards.

A Friendship Sealed with a Bottle of Mike’s First Wine

After Mike made his first garage wine — a Cabernet Sauvignon — we moved to New Jersey, bringing the barrel of wine along with us safely packed in the moving van. It spent two years aging in our basement. One night, we bottled some of it and shared it with our new friends, Maureen and Art (pictured above), over dinner. It was amazing how that single bottle sparked so many stories, questions and laughter. It became a catalyst for a deep friendship that has endured through time and distance. Even though Mike and Art have since passed, Maureen remains one of Amista’s biggest fans and a cherished friend.

These memories remind me of the true essence of wine — it brings people together, fosters connection, and creates lasting bonds. This "Come Over October," we raise our glasses not just to wine, but to the friendships and moments that make life richer.

Still Thirsty?

What is Come Over October?

Join us for Come Over October Celebrations at Amista