Vermeil was such a godsend for the Rams. I look at him as the most important figure in the history of the Rams because he took the franchise from bottom feeders to Super Bowl champions. He did an amazing job, even though we all wish he stayed longer.
I met DV over 10 years ago in Calistoga, CA. It was Labor Day, so I took a road trip to Calistoga. My goal was to buy a bottle of Vermeil's Cabernet Sauvignon. I read an article, which I think might have been posted on this board, about how Vermeil was promoting his On the Edge winery. It motivated me take the road trip up there and try his wine. I also knew there were races going on at the Sonoma raceway, and DV is a big-time gearhead. I just had this feeling I might run into DV.
When I arrived at the On the Edge tasting room, I was underwhelmed. It was more of candle shop than a tasting room, which was kind of cool with the exhibits of bees producing beeswax. The woman who helped us out turned out to be DV's cousin. She showed us around the shop and gave us a wine tasting. As we're sitting around this small bar, DV's nephew shows up. It's totally like Mayberry in Calistoga. Everyone knows everyone else, and DV has a lot of family around there. Anyways, the newphew tells his aunt that DV should be here soon (he was in town for the races). I usually don't get starstruck, but the chance to meet DV got me giddy. I have so much respect for that man. DV eventually shows up. He's just what you would expect: warm and engaging. We talked the Rams and basic life stuff. I got him to autograph my bottle of cab, and it became one of my prized possessions. I told everyone that I wouldn't drink that bottle till the Rams won the Super Bowl again, but without a proper a wine preservation system and the Rams playing dismal football, I got weak and rationalized into drinking the bottle for some other special event. I still love that empty bottle, and it makes me smile when I look at it atop my bookcase and think about my chance to meet one of my idols.
