A tribute to a friend

Once again, it's the month of May, and that means it's time to take our annual long weekend as houseguests of our friends who own a wine chateau.  I told you all about it last year in my post Fete of the wine and the vine.  If you're new to this blog, I urge you to check it out, as it's always a fun and interesting aspect of our life here.

Only, this year, the event has been canceled.  Last week, the oldest son in the family sadly suffered a heart attack and passed away at age 41.

We first met this family in 1997 in Paris.  Over the years, we've not only gotten to know everybody in the family, but we've become annual houseguests during their yearly wine festival every May with a standing invitation to stop by any time we pass through town.  We met Vincent when we went to the chateau for the first time in 2003.  While we hadn't known him, he knew us as he kept the books and saw our names every year.

Setting up for 150 guests

Once we became regular weekend guests, we earned our keep by helping out.  That involved Doc Leo helping to set up all the tables in the lovely garden for all the lunch guests. 

Here we have Vincent surveying the set-up with his dad, the original owner we first met so many years ago, and the Doc.

Sometimes we've stayed in the big house with the parents, but there were a few years when Vincent was single that we stayed in his little house next to the big house.

While his brother primarily works in the fields, Vincent handled the business end.  There was a very nice article written up about the operation featuring Vincent that you may enjoy checking out.

Several years ago, he met a really sweet woman with whom he decided to create his own family.  They have a little boy who just turned two, and they have another on the way scheduled to arrive in September. 

The business is a totally family-run operation, so Vincent's responsibilities are going to be very difficult to replace.  I don't know what their plans are; they probably don't even know themselves.  I just know that trying to run the business is going to be hard enough by itself without the premature loss of this precious family member.

Vincent taking the Doc's order

As Vincent was the books guy, he was usually the one who processed our own order at the end of the weekend, usually throwing in something extra for all our help. 

As if passing the whole weekend with this lovely family wasn't special enough!

Ironically, our invitation for this year's event came yesterday as they were having his funeral.  One just never knows how life is going to play out.

Rest in peace, Vincent.  We are so thankful for all the time we've had with you over the years and hope we can continue to be of some comfort to your parents.