The Gnarly Dude Abides

In the End The Dude Abides

Have you ever met someone with the same name as you? It was quite the shock when I received an invitation to the English Honor Society at my college. First, I was a Biology major and secondly, I was only a sophomore. It turned out that there was another Lori Hoyt (my maiden name and in full disclosure, her name is Laura.) But thanks to that misplaced invite I made a life long friend. 

Unfortunately, the same can not be said for Jeff Lebowski. In a 1998 movie titled The Big Lebowski, Jeff Bridges, aka “The Dude” is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name. The adventure begins when thugs come to The Dude’s apartment to collect on funds owed by the other Lebowski’s wife, Bunny. After explaining he is not the right person, and the obtuse henchmen finally looking around the apartment realizing he obviously is not a millionaire, one of them relieves himself on the carpet. 

The calamity ensues as The Dude tracks down his namesake to get reimbursed for his carpet. From there it is one hilarious misadventure after another as The Dude and his bowling buddies Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi) figure out the mystery of Bunny’s abduction. (I don’t want to give too much away, since I laughed my a$$ off watching this movie.)

Two Hands

‘Quality without compromise’ that is Two Hands Wine‘s motto. A winery that was born in September 1999 when two friends, Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, sat at another friends engagement party and decided they should make their own wine. Not just any wine, but wine that demonstrates the region’s and vineyard’s specific characteristics. 

Two Hands Wine has received recognition almost from the get go.  Robert Parker claimed they were “The finest negociant south of the equator.” You know how the story goes… When EF Hutton Robert Parker talks everyone listens. The demand for Two Hands wine skyrocketed and export increases to Europe, Asia, and North America. From 2002-2012 Wine Spectator named Two Hands one of the Top 100 wineries. That is ten consecutive years of being in the top 100! 

Their fruit is sourced from six leading Shiraz growing regions in Australia. They work with the vineyard growers to guarantee they get full potential of each vineyard site. Making sure they are involved in every step of the winemaking process, they insure each wine produced displays the best the vineyards have to offer. They produce wine across four series, The Flagship, Single Vineyard, Garden Series and Picture Series.

The Gnarly Dudes

‘Nobody calls me Lebowski. You got the wrong guy. I’m the Dude, man.’ The inspiration behind the Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz. Throughout the movie, The Dude pours himself many White Russians and according to owner and managing director, Michael Twelftree, The Dude would abide this Shiraz’ rich flavors of spice, black pepper, raspberry and plum. 

In addition to the movie inspiration, Gnarly Dudes also pays homage to the Barossa Valley old Shiraz vines that the wine is made from. After being crushed, the fruit was fermented in three, five, seven and ten ton open top vessels. Regular pump overs were meticulously done to provide for the deep color and well-integrated tannins. Batches were maintained separately and malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel. 

You’re A Lebowski. I’m A Lebowski

In the opening scene, The Dude is in a Ralph’s store purchasing half and half (after he drinks it in the aisle) in a bathrobe, boxers and sunglasses. He continues this laid back , casual clothing style throughout the movie. About two weeks prior to Halloween, my friendly neighborhood FedEx delivery man left me a package.  Upon opening, there in the box, I saw a complete The Dude costume as well as a beautiful bottle of 2017 Two Hands Gnarly Dude compliments of Donna White Communications. 

Although my typical Halloween fashion is something I can throw together at the last moment, I am thrilled to call upon my inner Lebowski this year and enjoy a glass or two of Gnarly Dude Shiraz. (SRP: $30) Find out more about Two Hands Wines, how they rate each barrel to determine which wine will be used to make each of their tiers and to see their beautiful state of the art winery on their website. 

~Sláinte!
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