1919

A recent article in The Wine Spectator stated: "Stony Hill has no competition among old chardonnays and collectors are ready to spend a small fortune for them." At an auction Stony Hill wines brought three times as much as their nearest competitors.

Stony Hill is, of course, the winery which Fred McCrea started after retirement from the advertising business and which has been carried on by his widow, Eleanor. Stony Hill remains very much a cult wine. There is a four-year wait to get on their mailing list of 2,000 lucky customers who may buy some wine each year. "Some get two cases but most only one," says Eleanor.

Jim Davis celebrated his birthday in October. I called but Mary said he was taking a nap. An appropriate way to celebrate.

Kitty Larmon is well. She said someone is building a retirement home in Hanover but she did not say whether or not she had signed up. Happy Holidays to all.

865 Central Avenue, Apartment G311, Needham, MA 02192