Gundlach Bundschu winery celebrates 151st anniversary with a writing contest

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The Sonoma-based winery with the incredibly German name -- which has given birth to one of the wine world’s most adorable nicknames, gunbun -- is two days away from the 151st anniversary of its founding. (Making it one of the oldest wineries in the state.)

To celebrate, the family-run business is holding a writing contest. Participants must submit 151 words or less detailing what it is about ‘wine that stirs your soul.’ The guidelines are simple: Submit your ‘poetry, essay, paean, haiku, rap lyrics, or whatever may float your boat’ to Gundlach Bundschu via its website, by midnight March 12. Enter as many times as you want. The rewards have yet to be disclosed, but one thing is promised: Lasting glory through publication in print and online, VIP treatment whenever you visit the winery, and probably a bottle of wine or two.

To get you in the mood, I took a few minutes to whip up my own ode to the vine:

Vodka, clear and light, can make me very tight.
Whiskey, amber supreme, can make me very mean.
Gin, devil spirit of juniper bite, can fill my heart with vengeful spite.
Beer, made of barley and grain, can cause in my belly a bloated pain.
Ouzo, licorice witch, can make me a total, um, yeah.
But wine, sweet, red wine divine, in your arms I am always fine.

--Jessica Gelt